The first game in the second round of the Battle for Florida took place tonight. The Florida Panthers in the first round defeated the Capitals in six games, while the Lightning defeated the Maple Leafs in seven.
Here is how the two teams would line up:
In the first period, the home team Panthers would get on the board first. The goal would be tallied by Anthony Duclair, his first goal of the playoffs. The assists on the play would come from Jonathan Huberdeau and Brandon Montour. The Panthers would take a 1-0 lead heading into the second period.
In the second period, the Lightning would tie up the game via the power play. The goal coming from Corey Perry, his third goal of the playoffs. The lone assist on the play would come from Nikita Kucherov. The game would be tied 1-1 heading into the third period.
Early in the third period, the Lightning would take their first lead in the game. The goal coming from Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, his second goal of the season. The assists on the play would come from Corey Perry, his second point of the game, and Pat Maroon.
Later in the third period, the Lightning would double their advantage in the game. The goal coming from Nikita Kucherov, his third goal of the playoffs. The assists on the play would come from Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos. The goal would come via the power play, the Lightning’s second of the game.
Before the end of the game, the Lightning would add an insurance marker. The goal coming from Ross Colton, his fourth of the playoffs. The assists on the play would come from Nick Paul and Mikhail Sergachev. The Lightning would take Game 1 by a final score of 4-1.
Three Stars:
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Nikita Kucherov
Corey Perry
Next Game:
Game 2 between these two teams will be on Thursday May 19, at 7p on TNT.
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The Xperience Hockey Talk 
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