The Lightning clawed their way back in the first two periods, and got inside not only Matt Murray, and that was to a lesser extent – but the whole Penguins roster’s head. And then the Lightning almost gave it up.

This game could be seperated into two entirely different ones – the dominance of the Lightning in the first and second and the utter firestorm that was the Penguins third period.

The Lightning were able to clinch last night’s victory in the first two periods because the were alert and had an understanding of where the puck was at all times, and were passing incredibly well. All four of their goals were smart plays, and it shows the talent on the roster.

On the defensive side, allowing for an offensive attack allowed for less shots in this game from the Penguins as well as a better outcome for the Lightning.

Part of what sunk them in the third was that they turtled and stepped off the throats of the Penguins. When you have a team as down as the Lightning did with the Penguins, a goalie change doesnt matter too much, but stepping off the throat does.

The Penguins came into this game with momentum, having won the last two games and given the Lightning the first two consecutive losses of their playoffs. The Penguins were unable to hold onto it, as there was a complete breakdown in the first two periods. Nobody played well, and again, do not solely blame Matt Murray.

The defense was not there – they allowed the Lightning to attack without responding and make smart plays – and the offense wasnt there. It ended with Trevor Daley getting hurt, seriously affecting the top four defensemen of the Penguins.

What snapped for the Penguins was pulling Matt Murray, something we’ve seen before in the playoffs, sometimes pulling a goaltender can spark a team needing that spark.

Marc-Andre Fleury hadn’t been in a game since late March/early April, but there was no rust as he came in big for the Penguins in the third, keeping the Penguins in a game they had no right being in after the second.

The Penguins attack found players who needed to score, including Evgeni Malkin, and it was the first time in a long time that Geno scored. The Penguins scored because of good passing and because the Lightning lost the alertness they had used so well before that period.

The Penguins have momentum again. This time they need to capitalize. They only have so many games without day-to-day Ben Bishop. Steven Stamkos has all but ruled out playing in these playoffs – Bishop, far better now than either of the Pens goalies (Murray lost some confidence after being pulled), has not.