Emil Lilleberg and the Lightning are not yet out of the NHL playoffs after they beat the Florida Panthers 6-3 on Sunday night. Photo: Chris O’Meara / AP / NTB
Of NTB | 28.04.2024 11:02:17
Sport: The Panthers have so far been the clear best team in the best-of-seven series and led 3-0 before Saturday’s game. On Sunday night, however, it was the Lightning who drew the longest straw when they won 6-3 in Amalie Arena at home in Tampa Bay.
Steven Stamkos and Brandon Hagel each scored twice for the Lightning, while Brayden Point and Nicholas Paul also added a goal each.
For the Panthers, it was Sam Reinhart, Carter Verheaghe and Swedish Oliver Ekman-Larsson who made their mark on the scoring list.
Lilleberg got 19 minutes and two seconds on the ice, but did not score any goals. It was a great joy for the hosts that Lilleberg’s full-back colleague Mikhajl Sergatsjev was back after an 80-day injury layoff.
– I was very excited. Honestly, I couldn’t sleep last night. It felt like it was my first NHL game again. And then you go on the ice and get that reaction from the fans. It made me emotional and I’m just grateful to be here, the Russian added NHL website.
The Lightning’s win means that the teams must go to at least a fifth game to decide the winner of the best-of-seven series. That match will be played on the night of Tuesday Norwegian time.
– It is far from over. We know it’s one period at a time, one game at a time. “We can’t look ahead,” Hagel said after helping ignite the Lightning’s hopes.
(© NTB)