It also marked the third consecutive game in which Palat scored a goal With 1:50 left, Lightning defender Mikhail Sergachev fired a shot from the blue line past the forward and beat Rangers goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin. While the goal was initially credited to Sergachev, Palat took a piece from the bench on his way to the net and was credited with the score. In the last three games, Palat has scored three goals and two assists, including a three-point lead in Tuesday’s 4-0 win. After a first period without a score, the Rangers opened the scoring thanks to defender Ryan Lindgren. Lindgren scored from the scoreboard and was able to turn the elf over goalkeeper Andrei Vasilevsky’s blocker. Lightning defender Zach Bogosian tried to clear his belt, but Lindgren was able to pinch the game and score through the move to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead in the middle of the second period. It was Lindgren’s second goal of the season and his first in the Eastern Conference final. The Rangers defender scored for the last time in the 5th game of the team’s first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sergachev, who was incredibly active throughout Game 5, scored the equalizer to make it 1-1 at 17:34 in the second half. The Lightning defender shot one through the legs of Rangers striker Kevin Rooney and the elf somehow overtook Sesterkin for the second odd score of the night. Before Game 5, Sergachev had just four assists throughout the post-season. The veteran defender completed Thursday’s key game with a goal and an assist. Now the Lightning will have the opportunity to qualify for the Stanley Cup final for the third consecutive season on their ice in the 6th game, which will be held on Saturday. Tampa Bay has an all-time record of 8-2 when he leads 3-2 in a best-of-seven series. In addition, they are trying to clear a 0-2 series deficit in a conference final for the second time in franchise history.
