Lightning defeat Maple Leafs 5-3 in Game 2, even up series 1-1

Victor Hedman finished with a goal and three assists, while Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists to lead the Lightning offense. 

The Lightning had five players tally goals on Wednesday night, including Hedman, Kucherov, Corey Perry, Brandon Hagel and Brayden Point. 

Hedman opened the scoring late in the first, tucking home a powerplay goal off a loose puck in front of the Maple Leafs' net with just three seconds left in the first period. 

Already leading 1-0, Perry made it 2-0 with just 2:21 into the second period. Toronto would get on the board a few minutes later, cutting the deficit to 2-1 thanks to a Michael Bunting goal at 7:47 in the second. Less than three minutes later, however, Kucherov would find the back of the net, giving Tampa Bay a two-goal advantage at 3-1 at the second intermission. 

The Lightning struck quickly again in the third period, with goals from Hagel and Point coming during the opening six minutes of the final period. The Maple Leafs would make some noise late after goals from Mitch Marner and Alexander Kerfoot cut the Lightning lead back down to two goals. Tampa Bay was able to hold on for the 5-3 victory. 

Lighting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was solid between the pipes, making 31 saves off 34 shots, and was perfect against the Maple Leafs on the penalty kill, turning away all eight of Toronto's powerplay shots. 

The series, now evened up at 1-1, shifts to Tampa Bay for Game 3. The Lightning will host the Maple Leafs for Game 3 on Friday at 7:30 p.m.