The Florida Panthers looked as though they were about to drop yet another game to the Vegas Golden Knights. Then, Matthew Tkachuk stepped up.
The Florida Panthers struck early in the first period to take a 1-0 lead over the Vegas Golden Knights thanks to a goal from Brandon Montour. But it was the last time they would score until the 17:47 mark in the third frame.
With Vegas leading 2-1 and heading toward yet another win, Matthew Tkachuk, the one player who needed to step up big in this game, came through and scored, tying the game at 2-2 and sending it into overtime. The Panthers needed just four minutes and 27 seconds to take Game 3 thanks to a goal from Carter Verhaeghe.
Now down by just one game, the Panthers have a chance to even the series this Saturday in Game 4. If they can bring the series to two games apiece, then comeback season could have begun for the Panthers.
Florida Panthers can finally start their comeback
All season long, the Panthers have faced adversity, from fighting their way into making the playoffs to their improbable upsets over the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Boston Bruins, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Carolina Hurricanes. This puts the team in a familiar spot, and one where they have triumphed time after time.
While the Panthers dropped Games 1 and 2 on the road, it’s also important to remember just how well this team played when not on their home ice for most of the playoffs. So if Florida can grab another win at home and go into Vegas with the series even at two, what’s not to say they don’t rediscover that road success that made them such a formidable playoff team?
Overall, the Panthers’ win tonight proves that this series is far from over. And if they take another one on Saturday night, then they will have all the momentum when the series shifts back to Las Vegas.
(Game information provided by ESPN.com)