Game 2 of the series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers seemed inevitably headed for overtime, but Ross Colton ended the duel with four seconds left in regulation, giving it a 2-1 win. at the “Bolts” on Thursday night at the FLA Live Arena.
The Lightning took a serious option on the four aces by winning both games at Sunrise. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions will now travel home to Amalie Arena with a 2-0 series lead.
With the score at 1-1, Colton surprised everyone by being completely alone in the slot. Nikita Kucherov, who had drawn two Panthers players behind the net, blindhanded him the puck and the 25-year-old forward was able to beat Sergei Bobrovsky from close range.
Corey Perry had scored the first of the visitors in the first period. The veteran scored his fifth goal of the playoffs by deflecting a Steven Stamkos shot on the power play.
Eetu Luostarinen provided the reply at the end of the second period. Like Colton, Andrei Vasilevskiy also stole the game by making no less than 35 saves.
The next game will take place on Sunday, early afternoon.
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