Friday Caterwaul: Florida Panthers Offseason Open Forum

Brayden’s Point’s go-ahead goal with 20 seconds left in the second period pushed the Tampa Bay Lighting to a 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders in Game 3 at Nassau Coliseum.

It was Point’s NHL-leading 11th goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and his third game-winning goal. He has now scored in an astounding six straight games.

The eventual game-winner came 2:39 after Cal Clutterbuck tied the score for the hosts. Yanni Gourde opened the scoring with his third of the postseason midway through the first period.

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves for the Lightning, who are 6-1 on the road this postseason.  Semyon Varlamov stopped 23 shots for the Islanders.

More at Raw Charge and Lighthouse Hockey

Tonight’s game

Vegas Golden Knights at Montreal Canadiens  8 p.m. USA (Series tied 1-1)

Pregame coverage at Knights On Ice and Eyes On The Prize

LBC Poll

Who will win Game 3 tonight?

Brind’Amour wins Adams

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour won the Jack Adams Award for NHL coach of the year as voted by members of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association. Dean Evason of the Minnesota Wild was second, and Joel Quenneville of the Florida Panthers was third as the other finalists for the award.

Bill Zito up for GM of the year

Montreal’s Marc Bergevin, Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders and our very own Bill Zito are the finalists for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to the general manager who best excelled at his role during the regular season. It is voted on by the League’s general managers and a panel of NHL executives and print and broadcast media after the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The results will be announced on Monday.

Signings

Liam Kirk was the first British-trained player drafted by an NHL team. Three years later, the Arizona Coyotes have inked him to an entry-level contract. (Five For Howling)

The Boston Bruins re-signed forward Anton Blidh to a one-year, two-way deal. (Stanley Cup of Chowder)

The Columbus Blue Jackets inked forward Kevin Stendlund to a one-year contract extension worth $1.05 million. (PHR)

The Washington Capitals signed centers Michael Sgarbossa and Garrett Pilon to two-year, two-way deals. Sgarbossa put up 7 points in 29 games for the Panthers in 2016-17. (NBCSW)