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

The Tampa Bay Lightning have made it to their third straight Stanley Cup Finals after defeating the New York Rangers 4-2. The Lightning will now face-off against the Colorado Avalanche getting underway Wednesday, June 15 to begin the final series of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

During this run, the Lightning have made history by winning the third most series in a row in playoff history, as well as winning the most series in a row since the salary cap era began in 2005 with eleven straight series wins. The Pittsburgh Penguins held the previous record with nine series wins.

The Lightning started off the Eastern Conference Finals poorly, going down 2-0 in the series as Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Lightning couldn’t contain the Rangers. The Lightning went on to win four straight games and in turn the series 4-2 with multiple players making a big difference as the series went along.

With the finals right about to get underway, we have compiled a list of five players, in no particular order, who performed the best during round three of the playoffs.

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.