The Tampa Bay Lightning mounted a decisive comeback against the Florida Panthers, winning 5-1 in Game 3 of their playoff series, narrowing the deficit to 2-1. Andrei Vasilevskiy delivered a stellar performance, stopping 33 of 34 shots, while the offense rallied with goals from Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point, Nick Paul, and Luke Glendening. Anthony Cirelli capped off the scoring with an empty-net goal. Coach Jon Cooper noted the team's determined effort despite being down 0-2 in the series.

Florida's Matthew Tkachuk opened the scoring early, but Tampa Bay quickly responded, securing their first lead of the series through Nick Paul. With strong contributions from Nikita Kucherov, who notched three assists, the Lightning displayed resilience, aiming to level the series in Game 4. The Panthers, however, have historically thrived after taking a 2-0 lead in playoff series.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are gearing up for yet another playoff run, embracing the longstanding tradition of the playoff beard, a symbol of camaraderie and success. As players like Brandon Hagel, Nick Paul, and Victor Hedman discuss their varying approaches to this tradition, it’s clear that facial hair is a fun and superstitious aspect of their playoff journey. There’s a sense of excitement as rookies and veterans alike let their beards grow, with some players choosing to maintain them while others opt for a more wild approach.

The discussion highlights the unique personality of the team, with each player embracing this tradition differently. Whether it's a full beard or just a mustache, each growth has a story tied to the team's performance in previous playoff seasons. The Lightning's camaraderie shines through as they share laughs over their beards, reflecting a light-hearted yet competitive spirit as they prepare for their matchup against the Florida Panthers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs made significant moves ahead of the NHL trade deadline, acquiring center Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers and defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins. In exchange for Laughton, the Leafs sent a conditional 2027 first-round draft pick and prospect Nikita Grebenkin to Philadelphia, where the Flyers agreed to retain 50% of Laughton’s $3 million salary for the next two seasons.

Brandon Carlo also joins the Leafs as a solid defensive addition, traded for center prospect Fraser Minten and another first-round pick. The 28-year-old Carlo adds size and experience to the blue line, complementing the Leafs’ defensive strategy. Following these trades, the Leafs offloaded Conor Timmins and Connor Dewar to the Pittsburgh Penguins and cleared Ryan Reaves from the roster. With the Atlantic Division race heating up, these acquisitions signal Toronto's commitment to a win-now mentality as their core players approach critical contract decisions.

Nikita Kucherov propelled the Tampa Bay Lightning to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks with a game-winning goal just 58 seconds into overtime, adding to his two assists during regulation. Jake Guentzel also contributed with a goal and an assist, marking a shift in momentum for the Lightning, who ended a two-game losing streak. Nick Paul and Mitchell Chaffee joined the scoring for Tampa Bay, while Victor Hedman tallied two assists. Chicago's Louis Crevier and Frank Nazar each delivered a goal and an assist, with Colton Dach also finding the net. Despite the loss, the Blackhawks extended their point streak to four games with a record of 1-0-3.

The game was marked by a remarkable comeback, as the Blackhawks had initially taken a commanding 3-1 lead in the second period. However, a late goal from Paul in the second period swung the momentum back in favor of Tampa Bay. Guentzel's tying goal with just 3.3 seconds left in regulation proved pivotal, leveling the score and propelling the game into overtime. The Lightning dominated the shots with a staggering 40-14 advantage, showcasing their offensive prowess.

Dylan Holloway made a successful return to the St. Louis Blues lineup after a scary incident where he was hospitalized due to a puck hitting his neck. Following a 24-hour rest period, he received the green light from doctors and participated in the morning skate, expressing his readiness to play.

Holloway's injury occurred during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he reported feeling fortunate and supported by his teammates. Coach Drew Bannister praised his work ethic and ability to contribute both offensively and defensively.