Lightning Strike Early in Game 1, Take Series Lead
Vasilevskiy Benched, Stamkos Scores Game-Winner
Panthers Struggle with Penalties, Lightning Capitalize
In a thrilling Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round, the Tampa Bay Lightning emerged victorious over the Florida Panthers by a score of 3-2.
Despite a slow start, the Lightning struck first when Mikey Eyssimont found the back of the net with a wrist shot just over eight minutes into the first period. The Panthers responded with eight shots on goal before Tampa Bay recorded its second shot, but it was the Lightning who took the lead into the first intermission.
In the second period, the Lightning took a gamble by pulling Andrei Vasilevskiy in favor of an extra attacker with a 6-on-4 advantage. The gamble paid off when Steven Stamkos scored from the left circle off a cross-ice feed from Nikita Kucherov.
The Panthers stayed in the game, however, with a goal by Aleksander Barkov late in the second period. But the Lightning held on in the third period, despite a late power play for the Panthers, to secure the victory.
The Lightning were the beneficiaries of the NHL's best power play this season, clicking at 28.6%. The Panthers, on the other hand, struggled to stay out of the penalty box, giving up five power plays to the Lightning.
With the win, the Lightning take a 1-0 lead in the series. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Sunrise, Florida.
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