The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to play Game 4 against the Florida Panthers on April 28. The Lightning's goal will be to stay hot after defeating the Panthers by a 5-1 final score in Game 3.
Game 4 will also provide the Lightning with a golden opportunity. If the Bolts can secure another victory against the Panthers, they will tie the series back up at 2-2. This would be significant for the Lightning, as it would not only get them right back in the series but also give them home-ice advantage again. Thus, this game is a massive one for the Lightning.
The Lightning are entering Game 4 with momentum after their impressive win, and it will be interesting to see if they take advantage of it. However, winning on the back-to-back playoff games on the road is never an easy task, so the Lightning will need to be on their A-game to help their chances. This is especially so when noting that the Panthers are the reigning Stanley Cup champions and have a ton of talent on their roster.
It will be interesting to see if the Lightning can take advantage of their massive opportunity against the Panthers and win Game 4 from here. If they continue to stay hot offensively and get good goaltending from Andrei Vasilevskiy, they very well could pick up a victory.
Recent Lightning News
Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy Named Finalist For Top Award
The NHL has announced that <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has been <a href="https://x.com/NHL/status/1916870022703595767?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy</a>. In addition to Vasilevskiy, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck and Los Angeles Kings netminder Darcy Kuemper are finalists for the award.
Exciting Lightning Rookie Makes Big Impact In Game 3 Win
The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> knew Game 3 was a must-win contest for them, and they delivered big time. The <a href="https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwruDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen">Lightning</a> defeated the Florida Panthers by a 5-1 final score and avoided going down 3-0 in the series because of it. They now have the chance to even things back up in Game 4 with another win.
Lightning's Nikita Kucherov Joins Elite Company After Huge Game
The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> picked up a massive 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of their first-round series. This was undoubtedly needed for the <a href="https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwruDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen">Lightning</a>, as a loss would have put them down 3-0 in the series. Instead, they only trail 2-1 now and have the chance to tie up the series in Game 4 with another victory.
Lightning Surging Prospect Has Impressed This Season
<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> prospect Dylan Duke is one of the team's most promising prospects. The 2021 fourth-round pick showed off his potential during his three-year stint with the University of Michigan from 2021-22 to 2023-24, posting 53 goals and 98 points in 122 games. However, his final season with the school was his best, as he set career highs with 26 goals, 23 assists, and 49 points in 41 games.