5 Takeaways from Lightning vs. Panthers Game 4

5. Fighting Through it

The Panthers played their best period of the series in the opening period of game four. The Lightning were forced to weather the storm through their early surge.

Then, not once, but twice the Lightning appeared to have scored the game’s opening goal in the second period. Lengthy reviews led to both goals being disallowed. All momentum that might have been gained by scoring was not only lost by having the goals disallowed, but at least 15 minutes’ worth of time was spent without game action due to replays. With all the standing around, this could have opened an opportunity for Florida to seize the momentum, but the Lightning would have to live to fight another shift.

4. They Don’t Ask How

This time of year, the only thing that matters is getting the results. There are goals and there are playoff goals. The series clinching goal was a playoff goal. Pat Maroon batted a Zach Bogosian shot out of midair and the puck somehow trickled across the line for what would be the game winner.

The Lightning were always known for being the greatest show on ice, the Harlem Globetrotters of the NHL. They learned that these are the types of plays that it will take to win championships.

With the series clinching goal, Maroon now has eliminated the Panthers for the second consecutive playoffs after having the series clincher last year as well.

3. Special Teams Made the Difference

The futility of the Florida Panthers’ powerplay ultimately did them in this series. They scored just one goal on the man advantage all playoffs.

Tampa Bay killed off all three Florida powerplays in game four including a huge kill in the final three minutes of the third period.

Special teams can make or break teams in these games, and they absolutely broke the Panthers in this series. Over the four games, the Lightning powerplay scored four times and the Panther powerplay just never really seemed to be much of a threat and could not bring them back into any games over the course of the series.

2. Commitment to Defense

Ever since game six against Toronto, we have seen a completely different Tampa Bay Lightning team defensively. A lot of that has to do with Andrei Vasilevskiy, but the commitment in front of him has been quite admirable.

The shot blocking effort on shot after shot in this series was what brought the Lightning to another level. Everybody was getting into shooting lanes and laying everything out on the line. They looked like a team wanting their first cup.

In the five games since game six against the Leafs, Tampa Bay has allowed just four goals. Yes, the goaltender has been incredible, but the team effort to defend cannot go unnoticed.

1. The Goalie

Andrei Vasilevskiy may have had his best performance to date, and that’s saying something. He stopped all 49 Florida shots on the way to another series clinching shutout.

It was another one of those nights where you just felt that nothing was going to get past him. He has cemented himself as one of the greatest goaltenders in the history of the game with these legendary performances on the biggest stage.

His efforts in game four will earn him a well-deserved rest while Tampa Bay awaits their opponent for round three.