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NHL Three Stars: Vasilevskiy big again as Tampa takes Game 4

NHL Three Stars: Vasilevskiy big again as Tampa takes Game 4

No. 1 Star: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa netminder made 35 saves as the Lightning hung on for a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins to even their conference finals series at two. Game 4 was the third straight game that Vasilevskiy made at least 35 saves. One of those saves came in the second period denying a good scoring opportunity by Kris Letang.

No. 2 Star: Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

Kucherov had the primary assist on Andrej Sustr’s first period goal and Tyler Johnson’s second period tally, which would hold up as the game winner. He’s now up to fourth overall in scoring this postseason.

No. 3 Star: Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning

Hedman tallied a pair of assists and led all Lightning players in ice time with 26:15 in Game 4. The two points move him into second in scoring among defensemen, five behind Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks. Hedman now has 30 career playoff assists, passing Brad Richards (29) and Vincent Lecavalier (28) for second in franchise history.

Honorable Mention: Ryan Callahan scored for the first time in six games with a goal 27 seconds into the first period … Sustr’s goal was his first since April 5 … Jonathan Drouin recorded his fourth goal of the postseason and is now up to 12 points ... Marc-Andre Fleury came in relief of Matt Murray for the third period and stopped all seven shots he faced. It was his first game action since March 31.

Did You Know?

Dishonorable Mention: The Penguins lost Trevor Daley with a lower-body injury in the second period.

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