Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning(Last game of the NHL season)
Florida Panthers took over the hockey rink beating their state rivals Tampa Bay Lightning closing the hockey season with a banging 4–0 win last Monday night’s home game. The cats place themselves in the second spot of the Central Division. This puts the team four points ahead of the bolts for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. These teams will battle each other in the first round. Forward Anthony Duclair talks about making it into the playoffs on nhl.com:
“For these last two games, for the boys to come out the way they did, just to gain home-ice advantage in the first round is huge. We know how important that is come playoff time. We’re really excited and we’re looking forward to it.”
Chris Driedger made 30 for the cats and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 26 saves for the bolts. The action kicked off MacKenzie Weegar put the panthers on the board with 1–0 at 15:19 in the first period as the Defenseman performed a wrist shot from the high slot. Juho Lammikko changed the score 2–0 in the second period with a shorthanded goal. Vasilevskiy pushed the puck away from the side of the net, bounced a pass to the boards with no one around. Lammikko took the opportunity to get the puck and score on a wraparound before the goaltender could get to the net. Lammiko talks about the moment on nhl.com:
“There was a good dump by the D-man, and I just went toward the puck and got it this time. It was a good break.”
Florida Panthers kept pushing as they continued to score. Carter Verhaeghe made it 3–0 during the third period at 2:27 as he performed a wrist shot on a 2-on-1. He made his return on the ice after missing the last 13 games due to an upper body injury. Alex Wennberg scored the game winning 4–0 at 14:07 as he deflected Radko Gudas shot from the point.
Facebook fans shared their excitement about the game:
“Very impressive win not easy getting a shutout against the Lightning” said Bobby Dunat
“well played game all around, very solid….let’s keep it going….” said Carissa Nichole Smith
“We have a solid team. I’m Boston based but also a big fan of Florida since having many of the current roster play here in the AHL. Watched almost every game and really like what I saw. If they play to potential, many eyes will be opened. Let’s do it!! said Ed Sterste
Florida Panthers seem to be at the top of their game and hopefully they get far in the playoffs. Tonight is game one as the cats fight against the bolts. Fans have fingers crossed that the team gets far. Below are highlights of Mondays game.
