Lightning win 5-1, push Panthers to brink of elimination

Nikita Kucherov had a goal and three assists to guide the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 5-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Sunday afternoon.

Kucherov’s brilliance, who led the playoffs in scoring the past two years, helped the Lightning take a 3-0 lead in this series. The Tampa troupe could finish Monday evening, at his home.

The Panthers, who finished the season with the best record in the NHL, were eliminated by the Lightning in six first-round games last year. They have scored just three goals in as many games in the current series against rivals Florida.

Eric Cernak scored the eventual winner in the third minute of the second period. Steven Stamkos scored twice as Corey Perry added a net for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning.

Andrei Vasilevskiy was once again effective in front of his net and stopped 34 pucks for Jon Cooper’s men.

Sam Reinhart ended a scoreless 25 powerplay drought for the Panthers since the start of the playoffs, but those were the visitors’ only moments of celebration.

Sergei Bobrovsky gave up three times on 34 shots in front of the Panthers goal.

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