Pair of goals scored 11 seconds apart hurt the Lightning’s chances of tying the series and instead head home on the brink of elimination. Brandon Hagel returned to the lineup after serving a one game suspension and the team rolled out with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen. Both Conor Geekie and Cam Atkinson would be healthy scratches while the bad blood between the teams carried on in Game 4. After a questionable hit knocked Hagel out of the game Lightning responded in the best way they could, but it would be for noting after a late collapse in the third period.
Shots unavailable
Starting off, Lightning began the game with control of the puck but could not get a good look on net. Florida’s fore checking was on point which helped contained the Lightning in the opening minutes. For the first five minutes of the period neither team was able to net a shot on goal. Then, the shots on goal would arrive with three of them coming from the Lightning. Panthers nearly opened up the scoring, but the puck was shot up high and away from Andrei Vasilevskiy. Eventually, the first penalty of the night was called with 10:33 left in the period. Nikita Kucherov draws a slashing penalty giving Tampa their first look on the power play.
Glad to have Hagel back
Unfortunately, the power play woes continue, and the Lightning were held without a shot on net despite the amount of time in the Panthers zone. Soon after, Nick Perbix is called for holding and Florida went on their first power play with 6:30 left in the period. Felt great to have Hagel back as he did a great job on the penalty kill keeping the game scoreless. A short-handed goal nearly occurred for the Lightning. Overall, the first period ended scoreless with the shots on net even at 6.
Constant pressure leads to scoring
Out of the gate the Panthers continued applying the pressure like they were towards the end of the first period. On the other side, Lightning were playing a strong forecheck game keeping the game as tight as possible. Panthers received their second power play of the night with Gage Goncalves sent off for holding. Once again, Lightning kill off the penalty and the game still remains scoreless. Eventually, the aggression of the Panthers offense would pay off and open up the scoring. Anton Lundell makes it a 1-0 game with 10:54 to go in the second period.
Responding the best way they can
A breakdown by the Lightning defense allowed an opening for the Panthers to take advantage of and steer momentum in their direction. After a questionable hit on Hagel by Aaron Ekblad no penalty was issued, and Hagel went straight to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion. Rightfully so coach Cooper and the rest of the bench were furious but would respond in the best way possible. First, Mitchell Chaffee tied the game up on a shot by Emil Lilleberg. Second, Erik Cernak then followed up with a snapshot that went past Sergi Bobrovsky to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead. A pair of goal 11 seconds apart gave the spark Tampa desperately needed. Their lead would hold up for the rest of the period.
Wasting no time 😤 pic.twitter.com/chWGzrLdY6
— x – Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 29, 2025
Abysmal power play carries on
Lightning began the third period with a lengthy power play and a great chance to extend their lead. Niko Mikkola was given a 5-minute major and a 10-minute game misconduct for boarding Zemgus Girgensons. Despite the opportunity, the power play woes continue with no goals to show for. Instead, Brandon Hagel surrenders a penalty just as the major was expiring. Towards the end of the penalty kill Ekblad seemed to tie the game. The goal would then be reviewed for offsides. After review, the play was deemed off-sides, and the score remained 2-1 Lightning. Again, special teams got the job done and nearly scored short-handed before the pass was broken up. Hagel would not return to the bench following the hit by Ekblad. Over half the period went by and the pair of goals from the second period remain to be the difference maker.
Duo of goals hurt in the worst way
To this point the Panthers were held to only a pair of shots on goal with 5:05 left. This time Ekblad scores on a missed clearing attempt to tie the game 2-2 Immediately after Seth Jones gives the Panthers a 3-2 lead. Mimicking what the the Lightning did, a pair of goals 11 seconds gives Florida the momentum back late in the game. This was a heartbreaker for the Bolts as they were defending well up to this point. In the end, Panthers would notch an empty net goal and defeat the Lightning 4-2. This was a game that slipped away from the Lightning and stung their hopes of getting back in the series. The series was now 3-1 Panthers who finally won a a game at home. Lightning head back home facing elimination in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Three stars of the game
1st star: Anton Lundell – 1 goal and 1 assist
2nd star: Seth Jones – 1 goal
3rd star: Erik Cernak – 1 goal, 3 blocks, and 5 hits
