Florida Panthers Rally to Defeat Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4
In an electrifying finish, the Florida Panthers overcame a two-goal deficit in the final moments to secure a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of their playoff series. This win marks a significant lead for the Panthers, now up 3-1 in the series.
Game Summary
The Panthers found themselves trailing until late in the third period when defenseman Aaron Ekblad scored a crucial goal with just 3:47 remaining. Shortly thereafter, Seth Jones followed suit, finding the back of the net just 11 seconds later, showcasing a remarkable burst of offensive energy from the team.
In addition to Ekblad and Jones, rookie Anton Lundell also contributed a goal to Florida’s tally, while Carter Verhaeghe sealed the win with an empty-netter in the closing moments. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky delivered a solid performance, stopping 18 shots throughout the game.
Tampa Bay’s Performance
Tampa Bay entered the second period with momentum, as Mitchell Chaffee and Erik Cernak scored 11 seconds apart, giving the Lightning a temporary 2-1 lead. However, despite their efforts, they could not maintain the advantage against the Panthers’ late surge. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 19 saves but could not fend off Florida’s final onslaught.
Injury Update
During the game, Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel was forced to leave after sustaining a high hit from Ekblad in the second period. Hagel, who was struck in the chin area, did not return, and no penalty was assessed for the incident.
Looking Ahead
With the victory, the Florida Panthers will have the opportunity to clinch the series in Game 5, scheduled for Wednesday night in Tampa Bay. The stakes are higher than ever as both teams vie for a chance to advance in the playoffs.
As the series intensifies, both teams will aim for strategic adjustments to capitalize on their strengths and minimize weaknesses, promising fans a thrilling continuation of this playoff matchup.