Wednesday’s results
Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Bostons Bruins 1 (Tampa leads series 2-1): Ondrej Palat scored twice in 1:32 early on in the first period and the Lightning shut down the Bruins top line outside of a goal from Patrice Bergeron. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves in the win. The Bruins need to start scoring, with only three goals in their past two games after scoring six in Game 1. Tuukka Rask has allowed eight goals in his past two starts.
San Jose Sharks 4, Vegas Golden Knights 0 (Series tied 2-2): Martin Jone made 34 saves and the Sharks shut down William Karlsson and the rest of the Vegas Golden Knights to even the best-of-7 series 2-2. Even Marc-Andre Fleury’s heroics throughout the playoffs were no match for the lack of run support.
Three stars
Ondrej Palat, Lightning: Two goals and the game-winner for the Lightning. Palat now has three goals in his past two games and is providing the Lightning secondary scoring on a line with Tyler Johnson and Brayden Point. It was his second game-winner in as many games.
Martin Jones, Sharks: Jones made 34 saves for his sixth career playoff shutout, including stopping seven off the stick of James Neal and another five from Karlsson.
Victor Hedman, Lightning: Hedman had two assists in the game and fire four shots on Rask while playing a series-high 26:18 on Wednesday. And he did all this while having the unenviable spot trying to shut down Boston’s top line.
Highlights
Marcus Sorensen’s goal was a special effort:
Saucy goal:
Factoids
Most shutouts in the #StanleyCup Playoffs since 2016:
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 3, 2018
6 – Matt Murray
6 – Martin Jones
5 – Marc-Andre Fleury
3 – Pekka Rinne#NHLStats #VGKvsSJS pic.twitter.com/JygrXLaZPe
Thursday’s schedule
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET (NBCSN) -- Capitals lead series 2-1
Nashville Predators vs. Winnipeg Jets, 9:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN) -- Jets lead series 2-1
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck