SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 21: The Florida Panthers celebrate their 3-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
It's only one game. But your Tampa Bay Lightning will have to dig out of a hole to escape the first round of the NHL playoffs after a 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.
The two teams meet again Tuesday night in Sunrise before the series comes to Tampa later this week. The Tampa Bay Lightning will host Game 3 Thursday night. Game 4 happens Saturday afternoon at 5. This first round is a best of 7 series.
The Lightning kept this one close even as the final seconds ticked. After giving up an empty net goal, the Lightning were a threat late by answering with a goal of their own. But it wasn't enough. Both goaltenders brought it today. Vasy was great, but the Florida Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky held the Bolts to just one non power play goal.
Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers - Game One
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 21: A general view of the Amerant Bank Arena prior to Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers - Game One
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 21: Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning warms up prior to the game against the Florida Panthers in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers - Game One
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 21: Brandon Hagel #38 of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores a goal against goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers during first period action in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers - Game One
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 21: Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers stops a shot by Nick Paul #20 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during third period action in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers - Game One
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 21: Sam Reinhart #13 of the Florida Panthers pursues Erik Cernak #81 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during second period action in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers - Game One
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 21: Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers stops a shot by Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during third period action in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers - Game One
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 21: Teammates congratulate Carter Verhaeghe #23 of the Florida Panthers after he scored a third period goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers - Game One
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 21: The Florida Panthers celebrate their 3-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
