(Photo via TBLightning/twitter)
By Michael Wax
2022 Playoffs: The Tampa Bay Lightning tied their first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs at one (1-1) after a 5-3 win in game two.
Game Summary
1st Period
Game one saw a parade of penalties early on. Game two was no different, with both teams receiving multiple minor penalties in the first period. While the Lightning's penalty kill did its job early on, the power play got a late opportunity after Alex Kerfoot held Brandon Hagel. As time was winding down in the period, Victor Hedman entered the zone and crept towards Toronto goalie Jack Campbell. Alex Killorn fired a shot, which bounced off a Leaf and right onto the stick of Hedman. Hedman outweighted Campbell and fired in into an open net with 2.4 seconds to go in the period to give the Lightning their first lead of the series.
For the Lightning, it was their first power play goal in six opportunities in the series.
2nd Period
The Lightning's second period turned out to be their best of the game, but Andrei Vasilevskiy may have turned in the play of the game.
After some initial Leafs pressure, Hedman found Corey Perry up ice for a breakaway. Perry wasted no time, firing a quick wrist shot past Campbell to double the Lightning's lead.
The Leafs cut the lead in half almost eight minutes into the period after a turnover in the defensive zone by Ryan McDonagh. Auston Matthews put up some great forechecking to lead to the turnover, which Michael Bunting buried to make it 2-1.
The Lightning got another chance with the man advantage a few minutes after the Bunting goal, and were able to double their lead once again. Steven Stamkos took advantage of a poor clearing attempt by the Leafs, and the puck was cycled around to Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov walked in and snapped a shot by Campbell to make it 3-1.
3rd Period
The third period was a tale of two halves, with the Lightning controlling the first half and then holding on for dear life in the second half. Brandon Hagel made it 4-1 Lightning, and scored his first ever Stanley Cup playoff goal by crashing the net and capitalizing on a second-chance opportunity in front.
With yet another power play, the Lightning potted a fifth goal on the night with their tic-tac-toe pass to Brayden Point
After the Leafs made it 5-2 due to a failed clear, the Lightning got another power play to try and seal the game. Instead, TJ Brodie and Alex Kerfoot for the Leafs' second shorthanded goal in as many games to make it 5-3. Despite a penalty kill and a goalie pull, the Lightning were able to escape game two with a 5-3 victory.
Game three will be on Friday night at 7:30 pm, and the winner will take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Game Stats
Our Three Stars
1. Hedman (TBL): 1 Goal, 3 Assists
2. Kucherov (TBL): 1 Goal, 3 Assists
3. Vasilevskiy (TBL): 31 saves on 34 shots
Media's Three Stars
1. Hedman (TBL): 1 Goal, 3 Assists
2. Kucherov (TBL): 1 Goal, 3 Assists
3. Marner (TOR): 1 Goal, 1 Assist
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