Sunrise – A raucous Amerant Bank arena group of practically 20,000 watched the Florida Panthers enjoy a disciplined Activity 1, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2.
It was the 1st time in decades the Panthers opened the playoffs with a Game 1, spherical a person victory, a point Aleksander Barkov designed following the activity. Tampa Bay only had two electric power plays even though the Panthers scored the go-ahead target early in the 3rd period of time on their own male edge. Unique groups will go on to be a major story in this sequence and if the Panthers are ready to stay out of a penalty box like they did Sunday afternoon there are probabilities to win the sequence increase considerably.
Let’s get bodily
It was the scarce hockey recreation exactly where each participant on both equally groups experienced at least 1 strike. And these were not just after the whistle or dirty hits. It was a challenging-nosed, cleanse hockey sport, that really showed what the playoffs are about and how the Panthers have evolved into a championship contender. They also did a remarkable career of not partaking just after whistles and managing the danger of getting roughing penalties.
Notice to element
Tampa Bay’s main gamers have gained the Stanley Cup. They have also gained many specific awards. The Panthers lost to the Lightning in the playoffs in 2021 and 2022. They are on the lookout to flip the script this yr and if Activity 1 is any indication they have got a wonderful likelihood to do so. All 5 Panthers on the ice had been knowledgeable when Tampa’s stars experienced the puck and gave them very minor time and space to make performs.
Large Bob and the protection
The Panthers held Tampa shotless for the very first 16 minutes of the game. Late in the match with the Panthers up 2-1, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky arrived up with major will save on Brayden Position and Steven Stamkos. He appeared like the goaltender of a year in the past that served carry the Panthers into the Stanley Cup remaining.
Barkov dominates
Aleksander Barkov played an elite all-all over recreation. He shut down his opposing center, was in fantastic posture all afternoon and had helps on the first two aims. When your ideal player and captain has the sort of self-discipline, smarts, and perform ethic that Barkov does it filters to the complete team.
Video game 2 is Tuesday night time at Amerant Financial institution Arena in advance of the finest of 7 sequence shifts to Tampa.
