Written by Mary Clarke at SBNation.com
Game 3 between the Lightning and Penguins very much followed the script of their previous encounter. Pittsburgh dominated in shots, pressure and on the scoreboard in a 4-2 victory.
The Lightning started strong on the puck, putting up seven shots quickly on Matt Murray. However, their effort was wasted as the Penguins were able to tilt the ice slowly in their favor as the first period went on. A failed power play late in the first by the Lightning helped push the momentum further to the visiting Penguins.
It was all Pittsburgh in the second period, as the Penguins put up 21 shots on Andrei Vasilevskiy. In return, the Lightning mustered up just six shots in the middle frame. With 10 seconds to go in the period, a bad Lightning turnover gave the Penguins a break down the ice, which Carl Hagelin finished on the rebound to get their 31st shot of the game past Vasilevskiy.
Phil Kessel, who was visible all game, doubled the Penguins’ lead to 2-0 after being left alone in front of the net. Nick Bonino’s backhand pass found Kessel at the side of the cage, and he lifted the puck up and over Vasilevskiy for the goal.
Fourteen seconds later, Tyler Johnson finally got the Lightning rolling on a goal. The Penguins defense seemed to take a break on the following shift, giving Johnson a lane to speed through and catch Murray between the arm for the 2-1 score.
Coincidental minors plus one penalty from Braydon Coburn put the Penguins up on a 4-on-3 power play, and Sidney Crosby did not miss from a one-timer at the right circle that restored Pittsburgh’s two-goal lead.
Chris Kunitz finished the Penguins’ third-period explosion three minutes after Crosby’s goal. Tampa Bay’s defense was nowhere to be found as Kunitz was able to pick up a rebound and stash it home for the 4-1 score with Vasilevskiy out of position to make a save.
To continue reading this article, click here.
