Tampa Bay ignites their playoff comeback with a statement win over Florida.
If you thought the Tampa Bay Lightning were down for the count, think again. On April 26, 2025, the Bolts rolled into Game 3 like they had chugged three Red Bulls each, slapping the Florida Panthers with a humbling 5–1 playoff reality check. And yes, it was every bit as chaotic as it sounds.
Even without forward Brandon Hagel (serving a one-game timeout from the NHL for his “enthusiastic” hit in Game 2), the Lightning didn’t miss a beat. Steven Stamkos basically looked like he was playing NHL 25 on Rookie mode, scoring two sweet goals, including a vintage power-play laser that made Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky do a full existential crisis.
Meanwhile, Nikita Kucherov was out there channeling full “hockey wizard” energy, tallying a goal and two assists like it was casual Thursday night beer league. When Kuch gets cooking, you know it’s trouble — and the Panthers were served a full-course disaster meal.
Andrei Vasilevskiy? Just your typical, calm, unbothered Vezina-winning monster in net. He turned away 26 shots like he was swatting flies at a picnic. If Vasy’s dialed in like that, Florida’s going to need more than just a pep talk and a whiteboard to figure this thing out.
The Panthers did manage to sneak one past Vasy thanks to Sam Reinhart, but honestly, by the time that puck crossed the line, Tampa was already dreaming up celebrations.
Montour and Lorentz also jumped on the Lightning party bus with goals of their own, because hey, the more the merrier when you’re handing out playoff lessons.
With the series now sitting at 2–1, Tampa’s made it very clear: they’re not here for a good time, they’re here for a long playoff grind. Florida better bring more than sunscreen to Game 4, because the Lightning storm is officially rolling.
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