Lightning dominate early, lead Leafs after first period

The Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the first period and lead the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0 after the first period of Game 4.

The Bolts did not waste any time as they attempt to even the series, as Steven Stamkos, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, and Pat Maroon all scored before the midway mark of the period to give the Lightning a big early lead. 

Stamkos jump started the Lightning offence early, blasting a one-timer past Leafs’ goaltender Jack Campbell just one minute into the contest.

Bellemare added to the Lightning lead at 5:20 of the period, finding the back of the net after the puck deflected off of defenceman Jake Muzzin’s stick and into the slot, where Bellemare was able to capitalize.

Maroon extended Tampa’s lead to three goals at 7:58 of the period, slipping the puck past a sprawling Campbell after the Lightning broke into the Leafs’ zone on a two-on-one odd-man rush.

Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy made 10 saves in the first period. Campbell made four saves, allowing three goals on seven shots in the opening frame.

The Maple Leafs lead the series 2-1.