Florida can send Tampa Bay on vacation

Florida is one win away from advancing to the quarterfinals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Last year’s final team also won the third game against the Swedish back star Victor Hedman and his Tampa Bay.

– We still have great respect for Tampa, we know how good they are, says Florida’s Gustav Forsling after the 5-3 victory at Bortais.

Tampa Bay had three straight Finals appearances — two of which ended in victories — when the team went straight to the Stanley Cup playoffs last year, but guard Victor Hedman didn’t see it as the end of an era.

– Absolutely not. Hopefully it was my last long summer in my career, Hedman said at a digital press conference with Swedish media after the regular season ended.

“Good self-confidence”

Now, however, Hedman’s Tampa Bay is just one loss away from having to start the holidays already at the end of April. Florida – which fell in the Stanley Cup final to Vegas last year – has an iron grip on the state derby in the round of 16. There was also a victory in the third game on the road with 5-3 and with a victory on Saturday in Tampa Bay, Florida wins the series with 4-0 in games.

– We have good confidence in the group and get even more from Bobrovsky’s incredible goalkeeping. But many have also stayed since last year’s playoffs and are driven by a desire for revenge, says defender Gustaf Forsling to Aftonbladet.

Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves, but couldn’t do anything about Tampa Bay’s 1-1 tie 44 seconds into the second period. Victor Hedman fired a shot, which was directed into the goal via Steven Stamko’s leg. Just over two minutes later, Tyler Motte gave the home team the lead, but Florida would turn around for a 3–2 lead before the second act was over.

Match balls also for Carolina

When Steven Lorentz made it 4-2 barely halfway into the third act, the match was decided. It is true that Nicholas Paul reduced the score with just over five minutes left to play, but in the final stages Matthew Tkachuk was able to make it 5-3 in an empty net after Tampa Bay took out goalkeeper Andrej Vasilevsky. Gustav Forsling had assist points for Florida’s last two goals.

Carolina also has match ball in its round of 16 final against the New York Islanders. Pierre Engvall netted for the home team, but it didn’t help. Carolina was able to win 3–2 and leads 3–0 in games.

Corrected: A previous version incorrectly stated which team was home between Tampa Bay and Florida.