Lightning’s Top 5 Performers in Round 3 vs the Rangers

1. Andrei Vasilevskiy

Andrei Vasilevskiy had a bad start to the series but made up for it by playing out of his mind after the second game. The lowest save percentage Vasilevskiy had in the Lightning’s four wins was a .933sv %, and only allowed two goals at most a game. Without his stellar performance, this series would surely have gone to seven games, and the Lightning would have been facing elimination. Vasilevskiy’s performance this postseason has been nothing but remarkable.

2. Nikita Kucherov

There can’t be a top-five list that doesn’t include both Vasilevskiy and Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov had an amazing series, setting up the most important goals of the series and cementing the argument for him to win the Conn Smythe this season if the Lightning win the cup. With three goals, five assists, and eight points, as well as setting up the most important goal of the series scored by the next player on this list, Kucherov became one of, if not the most important player of the series.

3. Ondrej Palat

The name Lightning fans will all remember when they think of this series deserves a spot on this list after his incredible performance against the Rangers. With two of the biggest goals of the series, Ondrej Palat saved the Lightning from not just going down 3-0 in the series but also saved them from being eliminated. It’s not far-fetched to say that without Palat’s game three game-winning goal with less than two minutes left, the Lightning would not be in the Stanley Cup Final right now.

Palat made NHL history by being the first player to score a game-winning goal twice with less than two minutes left in one playoff season. He finished the series with four goals, four assists, and eight points. With the kind of play he’s been showing recently, fans are excited to see what he can bring next against the Avalanche.

4. Steven Stamkos

The captain strikes again as he plays not just a stellar game six, but also a great series. With a playoff season-high five goals, as well as two assists and seven points, Steven Stamkos had one of the best playoff series we’ve seen from him and continues one of the best playoff seasons of his career. With two goals in game six, Stamkos helped lead the Lightning to not only a game six win, but also the series win to help advance them to the Stanley Cup Final.

5. Victor Hedman

It was a tough choice between Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev, and Anthony Cirelli, but Hedman seemed like the right choice. With no goals, four assists, and four points, Hedman played well offensively and better defensively. Every game fans were able to see the difference Hedman made on the ice, and how difficult it was when Hedman was out for concussion protocol for that little bit of time in game six. Fans hope to see the same kind of game from Hedman in the finals, where the defense will be more important than ever.