The Tampa Bay Lightning got off to an incredible start but sat back a little in the third. The Bolts played a very disciplined game and did a great job of jumping on the Caps early. As for the Caps, they kept falling behind and could not beat Vasy when it mattered most. This game was a lot slower but had an exciting finish as the Caps tried to tie it up. Both teams stayed extremely disciplined as there was only one penalty in the entire game. Once again this is a massive win for the Bolts and will now have a chance to head to the Stanley Cup Final in Game 6. Let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts could not have gotten off to a better start as Callahan made a great play to steal the puck and get it to Paquette. Paquette then moved it right in and put it past Holtby for an early 1 goal lead! The Bolts continued their excellent play as they did a great job of shutting down the Caps opportunity. The Bolts also kept up their offensive chances as they continued to put some pressure on Holtby. Things only got better for the Bolts as Palat then ripped an absolute snipe right past Holtby for a 2-0 Lightning lead! Bolts fans were loving it as “Go Bolts” chants rippled down from the rafters. The Caps tried to get some momentum back but would take a silly penalty. Brett Connolly would head to the box for holding and send the Bolts to their first power play of the night. The Caps would finally be able to kill it off though keeping the deficit at 2. With just over 5 min to go the Bolts dominated play as they lead in shots 10-2. The Bolts pressure would only continue as they took shot after shot. Holtby stood firm though keeping the Bolts from extending their lead. Time would eventually wind down, and the Bolts would head to the locker room with a two-goal lead, one of the best starts yet for the Bolts.

Goals: 2-0 Tampa Bay

Shots: 13-4 Tampa Bay

Second Period

The Bolts once again got off to a fantastic start! The Bolts put on some quick pressure with a shot to the net, a falling Callahan then knocked the puck into the back of the net for a 3 goal lead! The play would go under review but would stand after video review. The Bolts kept up the strong game as they continued putting on pressure. The Capitals would eventually pick up the pace getting a few shots on net. It would then pay off as Kuznetsov tipped one past Vasy to pull the Caps within 2. The Capitals push would continue as they got a few more shots on goal. Vasilevskiy kept the door closed though keeping the Bolts up by 2. The Bolts then bounced back as they grabbed a few chances of their own. Both teams had stayed disciplined for the first half of the period as they did not take a single penalty. The Caps definitely started to play better as things began to go back and forth. The pace of the game then started to slow down as both teams would enter their zones and get a quick shot off before defending one in their own zone. Time continued to fly by as both goaltenders let nothing get by them. Both teams would get a few more chances but time would eventually expire. The slow period wasn’t all bad though as the Bolts still had a 2 goal lead heading into the third.

Goals: 3-1 Tampa Bay

Shots: 18-16 Tampa Bay

Third Period

The Lightning weren’t able to score in the first minute this time but still got off to a good start. The Bolts grabbed a few excellent chances, but Holtby kept his team within 2. The Caps then got a few chances of their own, but Vasy would also turn their shots away. Brayden Point then got an excellent chance for the Bolts as he hustled down the ice to grab the puck. Despite a few opportunities, neither team had a shot on goal until the Caps finally got one on net. Both sides were playing great defensive hockey making sure neither team gained any significant scoring chances. The Caps would then be able to sustain a little bit of pressure getting a multitude of shots, but they were all denied by Vasy. Both teams continued to stay disciplined as neither team took a penalty. The Bolts continued to play a more defensive game as the Caps kept pushing trying to pull within 1. Vasy continued to play strong despite a strong Capitals push again proving why he is one of the best goalies in the NHL. With time quickly winding down the Caps needed a quick goal, so they went at Vasy with everything they had. But the Caps struggled to get a shot on goal before the puck was cleared out of the zone. But the Caps just came right back in the zone and kept up the pressure as things heated up. With only 2 min to go Holtby would head to the bench to give the Caps one last chance. Ovi would then get the puck and sling one past Vasy to pull within 1. The Bolts kept on fighting off the Caps advances and with just 1 min to go the end was in sight. The Bolts would block a few more shots, and Vasy made one last magnificent save. Then as time expired THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING WOULD TAKE GAME 5 AND HAVE A CHANCE TO ELIMINATE THE CAPS IN GAME 6!!!

Goals: 3-2 Tampa Bay

Shots: 30-22 Washington

3 Stars

1. Andrei Vasilevskiy (36SV)
2. Alex Killorn (1G)
3. Brayden Point (1G, 1A)

Up Next and Final Strike

Another fantastic finish to this game! The Bolts got off to an amazing start both in the 1st and the 2nd. They played really well in the first and had a decent second. Vasy once again played fantastic coming up big at the end of the game. Cally was also huge tonight along with the rest of the 4th line. The Bolts did a great job staying out of the box too and not giving the Caps a chance to climb back into the game on the power play. The Bolts did, however, sit on their lead too much at the end of the game. But they got the Job done and did a great job of blocking some shots as well. With that said I think the Bolts will be able to close this one out in Washington if they keep up this play and fix a few minor issues.

The Bolts will look to eliminate the Caps in Game 6 in Washington and advance to the Stanly Cup Final Monday, May 21st at 8:00 PM