TAMPA, FL (SNN-TV) – With Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, and Andrei Vasilevskiy leading the way, the star-laden, two-time defending champions, Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-2 last night in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
The victory two nights after suffering the most lopsided loss in the team’s playoff history trimmed Tampa Bay’s series deficit to 2-1 and breathed hope into becoming the first franchise in nearly 40 years to win three consecutive NHL titles.
Stamkos, Pat Maroon and Ondrej Palat each had a goal and an assist, and the Lightning scored four times in the second period to bounce back from an embarrassing 7-0 loss in Game 2 of the best-of-seven matchup. Kucherov and Hedman had two assists, and Vasilevskiy stopped 37 shots.
Game 4 is Wednesday night at Amalie Arena, where the Lightning have won a franchise-record eight straight playoff games.
