Friday’s results
Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Boston Bruins 3 OT (Tampa leads series 3-1): Nikita Kucherov scored his first goal of the series, Steven Stamkos scored his first even-strength goal in 21 games and Dan Girardi provided the heroics in overtime as the Lightning pushed the Bruins to the brink of playoff elimination with their win. Boston’s top line contributed all three goals, but it wasn’t enough on the night. Oh, and Brad Marchand licked a fellow player again.
Vegas Golden Knights 4, San Jose Sharks 3 (Vegas leads series 3-2): It all looked good around the midway point of the third period. Vegas owned a 4-0 lead and were heading to an easy win when the Sharks attacked. San Jose brought the game to 4-3 in just over six minutes to make the game oh-so-interesting, at least until an empty net goal by Jonathan Marchessault ended the comeback attempt. Alex Tuch provided two goals, including the game-winner.
Three stars
Alex Tuch, Golden Knights: Tuch had two goals on four shots for the Golden Knights, including an important -- and very pretty -- a third-period goal that ended up being the game-winner.
Steven Stamkos, Lightning: Stamkos’ third-period goal was not only a very important goal (it tied the game and forced overtime, where the Lightning won), it was his first even-strength marker in 21 games. Stamkos has been quiet in the playoffs while the team’s second line has provided a lot of firepower, so perhaps the goal will spark more out of the sniper going forward.
Patrice Bergeron, Bruins: Sure, the Bruins lost, but it wasn’t for lack of trying from Bergeron. The Selke finalist tied the game in the second period and then scored the go-ahead goal shorthanded in the third period. Bergeron had seven shots on goal and won 73 percent of the faceoffs he took.
Highlights
Stamkos beauty:
Tuch’s with a deft redirection:
Glove save of the night:
Any way you can save a goal, you do it. Cedric Paquette definitely did in the @GatoradeCanada Cool Under Pressure Play of the Night. #StanleyCup https://t.co/jZuFlQUoC6
— NHL (@NHL) May 5, 2018
Fleury sillyness:
Okay, Fleury. This is starting to get ridiculous. 😳 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Ag066Xui7q
— NHL (@NHL) May 5, 2018
Factoids
The @TBLightning's .652 overall win percentage in OT trails just NYI (.673) for the highest in NHL history. #NHLStats #TBLvsBOS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/YQmI446dR3
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 5, 2018
Saturday’s action
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET (NBC) -- series tied 2-2
Winnipeg Jets vs. Nashville Predators, 9:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN) -- series tied 2-2
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