Lightning Strikes | Bolts have found shutdown mode

Plus: Nikita Kucherov to the rescue

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Thursday, May 19, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters [DIRK SHADD | Times] Now this is championship hockey from the Bolts When the Lightning talk about what it took to win the Stanley Cup two seasons in a row, words like commitment and sacrifice come up often.   And this team knows that playing good defense is critical to raising Lord Stanley. The past two games, we've seen that kind of championship-caliber defense.    The Lightning shut down the league's top two offenses — the Panthers in Game 1 of their second-round series on Tuesday and the Maple Leafs in their do-or-die Game 7 in the opening round — by blocking shots, filling gaps and keeping traffic away from the front of their net.   Lightning coach Jon Cooper has said often throughout the season that the team's ability to keep the puck out of its own net will determine how far it will get in the postseason. And if the Lightning continue to play the way they have the past two games, they will make history.    Cooper's mantra is that if you hold an opponent to two goals or less, you put yourself in a good position to win. Anything more and you're playing with fire. And that's how the Lightning have won the past two postseasons. They are 29-2 since the beginning of the 2020 playoffs when allowing two goals or less. A repeat to remember Want to relive the Lightning’s second straight Stanley Cup win? The Tampa Bay Times has a new book for that. Striking Twice commemorates another thrilling NHL championship season. Order yours today! [DIRK SHADD | Times] Nikita Kucherov to the rescue in Game 1 The Lightning needed someone to step up with Brayden Point out for Game 1 of the team's second-round series against Florida.   Nikita Kucherov — no stranger to the playoff-hero role — took the reins.   Kucherov's incredible move to set up Corey Perry's game-tying power-play goal in the second period changed the tone of the game. Kucherov then added an insurance goal on the power play in the third. His play brought his teammates into the fight after a sleepy beginning, and the Lightning received contributions from everywhere in the win.    Don't think the Panthers won't come out in Game 2 focused on neutralizing Kucherov. But usually when teams do that, it created more space for others around him, so that's where linemate Steven Stamkos has to shine, as well as the others on the Lightning's top power-play unit. [DIRK SHADD | Times] In case you missed it ... • Alex Killorn boat parade look-a-likes invade Sunrise for Game 1   • While chasing history, Lightning want to get their newcomers rings, too   • Lightning's "Big Cat" looking to tame Panthers in Round 2   • Could Lightning join short list of recent history's three-peaters? Gain unlimited access to Lightning, Buccaneers and Rays coverage for about $1 a week! Subscribe now Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning vs. Panthers  Lightning lead the series 1-0   Game 2: Tonight at FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, 7 p.m., TNT   Game 3: Sunday at Amalie Arena, 1:30 p.m., TNT   Game 4: Monday at Amalie Arena, 7 p.m., TNT   Game 5: Wednesday at FLA Live Arena, time TBD, TNT*   Game 6: May 27 at Amalie Arena, time TBD, TNT*   Game 7: May 29 at FLA Live Arena, time TBD, TBT*   *If necessary Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard. Did someone forward this to you? Get Lightning Strikes in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. Contact us Privacy policy Terms, conditions & copyright Standard of accuracy © 2022 • All Rights Reserved Tampa Bay Times • 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, add custserv@elist.tampabay.com to your address book. You are receiving this email because you signed up for the "Lightning Strikes" newsletter from the Tampa Bay Times. If you’d prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe from this email.