Defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning has kept his chances to participate in the finals of the Stanley Cup again in the North American ice hockey professional league.
Thanks to a late comeback, Coach Jon Cooper’s team won 3-2 against the New York Rangers, reducing the “best of seven” final series to 1-2.
Match winner Kutscherow
The Czechs Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, each with their tenth play-off goal, initially gave New York the lead, but Tampa Bay’s star striker Nikita Kutscherow scored the goal. After Steven Stamkos equalized, it was Kutscherow again who assisted Ondrej Palat with 42 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Rangers around coach Gerard Gallant had previously created a good starting position for the finals with two victories in Madison Square Garden and underpinned their ambitions for the first title since 1994. On the night of Wednesday (2:00 a.m. CEST), Tampa Bay, champions of the past two years, has home rights again.
In the West Final, top German striker Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers are almost hopelessly behind 0:3 against the Colorado Avalanche. In the fourth game on Tuesday night (2 a.m./Sky) a win at home is a must to avoid a quick end.
SID
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