Lightning Strike Back: Moser, Vasilevskiy Lead Tampa bay to Playoff Victory Over Panthers
SUNRISE, Fla. (Archyde.com) — The Tampa Bay Lightning, led by a stellar performance from goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and a strong defensive effort from Swiss defenseman Janis “JJ” Moser, defeated the Florida panthers 5-1 on Saturday night in Sunrise, FL, cutting Florida’s lead in the best-of-seven series to 2-1.
vasilevskiy was the star of the show, stopping 33 of 34 shots to stymie the Panthers’ potent offense. After suffering two defeats on home ice at Amalie Arena,Tampa Bay found its stride in enemy territory,injecting life into their quest for the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Moser, the 24-year-old from Switzerland, played a key role on the Lightning’s blue line. In 15 minutes and 48 seconds of ice time, Moser blocked five shots, tying teammate Jake Guentzel for the team lead. He also finished with a plus-1 rating, demonstrating his effectiveness at both ends of the ice.
“We needed a response, and Vasilevskiy was unbelievable tonight,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said after the game. “We know we have a tough series ahead of us, but this win gives us some momentum. Moser was solid as always, making smart plays and contributing defensively.”
Despite being outshot 34-22, the Lightning capitalized on their opportunities, showcasing their championship pedigree.The series shifts back to Amalie Arena in tampa for game 4 on Monday night.
Avalanche Even Series Against Stars
Elsewhere in the NHL playoffs, another Swiss player, Lian Bichsel, experienced a different outcome.The 20-year-old defenseman and his Dallas Stars teammates fell to the Colorado avalanche 4-0 in Denver. Bichsel logged 15 minutes and 9 seconds of ice time and registered six hits, but finished with a minus-1 rating. The loss evened the series at 2-2.
The game was further highlighted by a memorable moment for Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog, who scored his first goal in 1,041 days. The Swedish captain had been sidelined for nearly three years due to medical reasons, making his return and goal a notable emotional lift for the team and its fans.
Schmid Rides the Bench as Golden Knights Edge Wild in OT
Simultaneously occurring, Swiss goaltender Akira Schmid remained on the bench as the vegas Golden Knights defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in overtime. The series is now tied at 2-2.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
NHL playoffs – Quarterfinal conference Series (Best-of-Seven)
Eastern Conference
Florida Panthers vs. tampa Bay Lightning: Series tied 2-1
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs. dallas Stars: Series tied 2-2
* Minnesota Wild vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Series tied 2-2
