Panthers take 3–1 series lead while Tampa searches for the snooze button and a miracle.
Florida took Game 4 and made it very clear they’ve got zero plans to leave the postseason party early — unless it’s to grab more snacks for Round 2.
The Panthers beat the Lightning 4–2 and honestly, it felt like Tampa was still trying to reboot after that Game 3 hangover. Matthew Tkachuk was once again Florida’s chaotic energy mascot, throwing hits, chirping like a caffeinated parrot, and oh yeah — casually scoring a beauty.
Sergei Bobrovsky? Brick wall. Guy turned into a human firewall and had Nikita Kucherov checking his controller batteries after a couple of mind-bending saves.
Meanwhile, Tampa managed to sneak in two goals, but it was like trying to stop a hurricane with a pool noodle. Every time they got close, Florida turned up the heat like they were grilling gators mid-game.
Sam Reinhart was out there making no-look passes and eyebrow-raising plays like he was auditioning for “NHL Street: Florida Edition.”
And can we talk about Brandon Montour? That guy played like he just downed five Red Bulls and a grudge. He was buzzing end-to-end and even chirped a ref with a smirk that said, “Yeah, I know I’m right.”
By the third period, the Lightning’s bench looked like a group project where no one did their part and everyone was panicking.
Now the Panthers are sitting pretty with a 3–1 series lead, one win away from sending Tampa to the golf course with a personalized “Thanks for playing” cooler.
Game 5 is gonna be wild, and you just know Florida’s bringing the full zoo.
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