Lightning Bring Renewed Energy to Game 4 Against Panthers
The Tampa Bay Lightning have reignited their postseason hopes with a vital win, heading into Monday’s Game 4 against the Florida Panthers feeling much more alive. Though the Panthers still lead the series 2-1, the dynamic has shifted, and momentum is now up for grabs.
Lightning Find Their Spark in Sunrise
Saturday’s 5-1 road victory snapped a rough playoff stretch for the Lightning, who had lost seven of their previous eight postseason games. No team has won at home yet in this series, giving Tampa Bay optimism for Game 4.
Stay Connected To The Industry With Fresh Updates From Gambling News.
“It was a huge win for our team,” Lightning forward Jake Guentzel said. “It gives us some confidence and some life in this series. But it’s only one game. We have to be ready for the next one.”
Nick Paul’s goal midway through the second period gave the Lightning their first lead of the series, a critical turning point.
“Getting the lead is huge,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “We were down 1-0 (on Saturday), and (Florida’s) building was buzzing. We eventually tied it, and then we pierced that bubble, finally had the lead.”
For those closely following NHL Game Predictions, the Lightning’s recent performance injects fresh variables into betting strategies for this series. Knowing how teams adapt after a crucial win can often help spot valuable opportunities.
Kucherov, Guentzel Lead the Charge
After managing just two goals across the first two games, the Lightning’s offense exploded. Nikita Kucherov racked up three assists on Saturday, continuing to put his name alongside legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier for multi-assist playoff performances. Jake Guentzel added a goal and two assists, while Nick Paul provided the much-needed spark.
Florida, meanwhile, struggled to find offense after Matthew Tkachuk’s early goal, highlighting a vulnerability Tampa Bay hopes to exploit again in Game 4.
Panthers Focused on Adjustments
Despite the Game 3 setback, the Panthers are not hitting the panic button. Captain Aleksander Barkov emphasized learning from the loss and keeping composure.
Serious About Profits? Follow The Best Handicappers For Winning Picks!
“We will learn a lot from (Saturday’s) game,” Barkov said. “We had a great start and did the right things. But (the Lightning) are a great team. They played really well. All we can take from this is to learn.”
The Panthers boast offensive weapons like Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, and Sam Bennett, but they need more consistency across all three periods. Coach Paul Maurice pointed out the need to maintain puck movement and offensive rhythm.