The Boston Bruins looked to even up their second-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4, but Dan Girardi’s overtime goal gave the Lightning a 4-3 win and a 3-1 series lead.
The Lightning once again got off to a fast start as Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov both found the back of the net before the ten-minute mark. Turnovers plagued the Bruins throughout the game and were what lead to the Lightning’s two early goals.
Boston did manage to answer back with a power-play goal from David Pastrnak who leads the Bruins in points thus far in the postseason with 20. His six goals are tied with Jake DeBrusk for most by a Bruin in the 2018 playoffs.
In the second period, the Bruins power play cashed in once again as Patrice Bergeron lit the lamp after a Tyler Johnson trip to tie the game 2-2. The Bruins struggled early on with the speed of Tampa’s lineup but were able to counter it with very physical play during the second period.
Boston had plenty of chances to score the go-ahead goal, but the two teams would head into the final frame tied 2-2.
The third period opened with a ferocious push from Tampa Bay, but when they were able to get a power play, their momentum was killed by a beautiful shorthanded goal from Bergeron.
Brad Marchand had what may be the most Marchand game of all time. He recorded a pair of assists, some hard hits, and in Marchand tradition, licked several Tampa Bay players.
Brad Marchand gives Ryan Callahan a lick pic.twitter.com/b2th9vdOwO
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 5, 2018
The Lightning came back to tie the game on a very questionable goal from Steven Stamkos. The equalizer was set up during a sequence where it appeared Charlie McAvoy was tripped, but the officials didn’t blow the whistle so the play was allowed to continue.
The overtime period didn’t last long as Dan Girardi’s tip-in goal ended the game three minutes in.
The Bruins now face elimination in Game 5 on Sunday afternoon in Tampa Bay.
