The Tampa Bay Lightning played a great game and played the most physical game so far their series. As for the Devils, they played well defensively and physically but could not get their offense going. This was an extremely fast-paced game with both teams flying from end to end. Both goaltenders also played extremely well and it was another great game to watch. With this win the Bolts now have a 3-1 series lead over the Devils. Time to close it out! Let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

Things did not start well for the Devils as just seconds into the period Hall would be called for hooking and send the Bolts to the PP. JT Miller would get a huge chance on the power play but Schneider shut the door. The Devils then successfully killed off the rest of the penalty and would get back to full strength. The Bolts kept pushing through as they got plenty of good chances in the offensive zone and kept the Devils out of their offensive zone. Corey Schneider stood tall though keeping this game scoreless as he denied anything the Lightning threw at him. Then the Devils came in hot and got a huge opportunity but Vasy showed why he was nominated for the Vezina Trophy. On that same play, Killorn would get 2 min for hooking and send the Devils to their first PP of the night. Unfortunately for the Bolts, Paquette got called for a trip to send the Devils to a 5 on 3 for 1:35. The Devils wasted no time capitalizing as Palmieri ripped one past Vasy to give the Devils a 1-0 lead. The Bolts would successfully kill off the rest of the second penalty and get back to full strength. The Bolts did not enjoy being down 1-0 so they made sure that did not last long. JT Miller took a shot that ended up in the back of the net tieing this game at 1. The pace of this game did not slow down with both teams flying from end to end getting big chances. It was the Lightning who had the momentum though as Conacher shot one into the back of the net! However, the Devils challenged for offsides and they would win that challenge with the goal coming back. So the game remained tied, but not if Nikita Kucherov had anything to say about it. Kuch fired a rifle right past Schneider to give the Bolts a 2-1 Lead. Things did not calm down after the goal as Kuch layed a huge clean hit on Vatanen and knocked that wind out of him. The Devils quickly responded and play would be halted. Not much later Killorn made an iffy hit and fight broke out again, Killorn would get 2 for boarding after things settled down. The Bolts PK did their job though as they killed it off and the score remained 2-1 Bolts. It seemed like Boyle was not keeping friends as he checked Kuch into the boards and then pushed him as he tried to get up. Players would all get together as things once again got chippy. Once the refs sorted things out Coleman, Wood, and Stralman would all get roughing penalties. This meant the Bolts would have a short PP that would carry over to the second as they could not get anything done before the end of the period.

Goals: 2-1 Tampa Bay

Shots: 12-13 New Jersey

Second Period

The Bolts would not be able to capitalize on the rest of the PP but got a few good looks. The physicality of this one did not slow down as Coburn then laid a big hit on Coleman that sent him into the benches. Both teams would then get a few opportunities as they went back and forth. Hall would then head back to the box as he was called for tripping. The Bolts got a few huge chances but could not capitalize and then just before the PP ended Kuch would get called for holding. So we would have just a few seconds of 4 on 4 hockey before the Devils got their 4th PP of the night. Things began to settle down a little as both teams got back to getting a few scoring chances. The Bolts then got a few chances in front of the net after a big scramble and Point ended up on top of Schneider. Now even though Point was bumped into Schneider, he was still called for goaltender interference. The Bolts PK unit and Vasy stood tall though protecting the Bolts 1 goal lead. With just a few mins left Stefan Noesen would get called for high-sticking and send the Bolts to their 4th PP of the night. The Bolts got a few nice looks but none would end up past Schneider. This PP would carry over to the third as there were still a few seconds left. Things had finally settled down and the Bolts held onto their one-goal lead heading into the Final 20.

Goals: 2-1 Tampa Bay

Shots: 24-18 Tampa Bay

Third Period

The Bolts got off to another great start in this period. The Bolts kept up some great pressure keeping the Devils on their toes. Both teams finally settled down and started to play a little more offensively. However, the penalties were not quite finished yet as Miller was sent to the box for slashing. Despite this feeling like the 100th time the Bolts PK unit was out there, they buckled down and once again got the job done. The Lightning did not let the devils get very many chances as they kept up the pressure in the offensive zone. The Bolts got more quality chances as well. The Devils got their fair share as well but Vasy was a brick wall once again showing why he is a Vezina finalist. Andy Greene would then sit for 2 min as he was called for tripping and send the Bolts to their 5th PP. Unfortunately, the Bolts would not be able to capitalize and the Devils still remained within one. Both teams kept pushing but neither team would let anything by. The Devils would pull their goalie for one last shot to try and tie this game. Things would not work out though as Kucherov threw the puck down the ice and got the empty net goal to seal this game. The Bolts would close this one out and take home their third win of the series!

Goals: 3-1 Tampa Bay

Shots: 36-28 Tampa Bay

3 Stars

1. Nikita Kucherov (2G, 1A)
2. Andri Vaskilieski (27 saves; 1 GA)
3. J.T. Miller (1G, 2A)

Up Next and Final Strike

The Bolts played another great game with the team clicking on almost all cylinders. The PK played a great game killing all but one penalty. The Bolts did a fantastic job of never letting up and playing for a full 60 min. Brayden Coburn played a fantastic game tonight as well, with his big hits and very smart plays that lead to Bolts’ goals. Vasy was also stupendous once again as he always is, stopping nearly anything they threw at him. The Bolts PP was not the best tonight though and that will be something they look to fix for game 5. With that said, The Bolts will look to close this out so they can rest up and not have to get back on a plane. They will also need to be better than ever with the Devils playing for their playoff lives. I expect the Bolts to have another high powered offensive game and close this one out.

The Bolts will look to close out the series as they get set to take on the New Jersey Devils Saturday, April 21st at 3:00PM EST.