The last two years' Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning got off to a bad start in the conference final against the New York Rangers and was down 2-0 in matches.
But after two straight home games, they had leveled and visited New York during the night to try to get a match ball - and they succeeded.
Despite the Rangers taking the lead in the game, Tampa equalized late in the second period and decided by two goals during the last two minutes of the match.
Swedish Victor Hedman assisted to the 2-1 goal which was the decisive match.
- We have returned to our game and avoided incurring expulsions.
We are the best in five-on-five and have managed to neutralize their stars, Hedman says at the press conference after the match.
May be the first since the 1980s
Tampa can now decide the match series at home, the night before Saturday.
If you win, you will be the first club to reach three Stanley Cup finals in a row since the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s (1983–1985).
- We expect the toughest match in the series in the next match.
But we will reach that level as well, we have been successful in the past with eliminating teams and we will try to do that again, says Hedman.
The Colorado Avalanche are already ready for the final after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in four games.