It seems that the Lightning are not going to go down without a fight as they scrapped a difficult win against the Colorado Avalanche to get the series to 3-2. Still, the need the Hockey Gods to shine down more luck on them if they want to win the Stanley Cup for a third time in a row.
This was the gridding, gritty win the Lightning needed to get their Stanley Cup hopes alive again. The Lightning were definitely holding on at times in this game, especially during the 2nd Period, relying on Andrei Vasilevskiy to bail them out from the Avalanche’s attacks.
Still, the Bolts were relentless with holding and taking back the lead, replying to the two Avalanche goals rapidly.
However, the two key differences for Tampa Bay in Game 5 were their special teams and their superstars. For the first time all series long, the Lightning did not give up a powerplay goal. Better yet, the Bolts were actually able to SCORE on their own powerplay. They perfected their gameplan masterfully.
The Lightning were far more disciplined this game than any other game to date. They drew the Avs into committing some bad penalties from their hard puck-work, aggressiveness, and speed all night long. And, more importantly, the Lightning were SO much better on their own powerplay. They were actually able to get clean zone entries this time, along with creating detailed set-up plays that resulted in the Kucherov goal.
Speaking of Kucherov, all the Lightning’s star players came to play tonight. They knew that tonight was the biggest game of their season and they played like it. Vasilevskiy was outstanding (as he always is in elimination games), stopping 36/38 for a .947 SV%. Kucherov, Hedman, Stamkos, and Sergachev all got at least one point tonight, with Hedman and Sergachev assisting the game winner.
And who scored the game winner? Tampa’s playoff hero, Ondrej Palat. It was a great goal too. A wonderful one-time blast off a Hedman assist that beat Darcy Kuemper through the five-hole. Though, in truth, Kuemper might want that one back as it did squeak right through him with only 7 minutes left in a tie game.
Anyway, Palat now has 12 game-winning playoff goals for the Lightning, the most in their franchise’s history. Palat is now above future NHL and Lightning Hall of Famers Victor Hedman, Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Marty St. Louis, and Vinny Lecavalier in that category.
Cale Makar may be the runaway favorite for the Conn Smythe if the Avalanche win, but Palat is really making a great case for himself if the Bolts somehow manage to pull of an unthinkable comeback.
With the series going back to Tampa Bay, I wouldn’t put it past the Bolts to win another game. Their gritty, strong defensive, and clinical offensive play has gotten them this far this postseason, along with their two Stanely Cup rings. However, the Avs were extremely unlucky to not win this game and will be ready to steal another game in Tampa to finish off the Lightning.
If the Bolts play the exact same game in Game 6 and pray the Avs can’t counter, then they’ll set up a grand finale, winner-take-all Game 7.
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