After going 0/15 on the power play in their first seven playoff games, the Lightning exploded for three power plays goals in their 7-1 thrashing of the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
Ondrej Palat, Mikhail Sergachev, and Alex Killorn all scored on the power play as the Lightning took a two games to one series lead.
The Lightning is now 3/21 on the power play during the playoffs. The Bruins looked to be out of gas in the loss to the Lightning, but after a two-day break, should be ready to give the Lightning all they can handle in game four.
So what was the big difference in the Lightning power play in game three? Nikita Kucherov was moved to the left side and the Bruins had no answer.
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy talking about the lethal Lightning power play said that the Lightning power play was just better than the Bruins penalty kill and said that his team would adjust.
–After eight playoff games, we are finally starting to see what the Lightning was missing during the last four seasons when they have been in the playoffs.
Pat Maroon, a Stanley Cup champion with the St. Louis Blues last season, joined the Lightning for another chance to win the Stanley Cup.
Maroon along with Barclay Goodrow, Blake Coleman, and Zach Bogoasin have given the Lightning the toughness and grit that was sorely missing in years past.
Victor Hedman is playing the best playoff hockey of his career. The Lightning is getting good contributions from the second and third lines. Eric Cernak and Anthony Cirelli have also stepped up and are making impactful plays when they are needed the most.
The top line of Braydon Point, Kucherov, and Palat continues to play at a very high level. The Lightning will need that kind of play from the top line as the playoffs continue.
The Lightning has scored 33 goals in the playoffs, and Point and Kucherov have been involved in 29 of those goals.
Nikita Kucherov had one of his best playoff games getting a goal and recording three assists in the win against the Bruins.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has played at a very high level keeping the Lightning in games with his highlight saves. Vasilevskiy has stopped 315 shots with a 2.06 goals against average and .924 save percentage.
Steven Stamkos has yet to play in a playoff game. As the playoffs continue, it seems less likely that Stamkos will see any action during this playoff run.
Game four will be at noon on Saturday as the league has rearranged its playoff schedule due to the players protesting racial injustice.
Game five will be Monday at 7 PM.
