The Tampa Bay Lightning got their first-round series against the Florida Panthers started on April 22, and it could not have gone much worse for them. The Lightning fell to the Panthers by a 6-2 final score and now trail the series 1-0 because of it.
It was an all-around tough game for the Lightning. They struggled defensively, and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy had a shaky night, allowing six goals on just 16 shots.
This was certainly not the way the Lightning wanted to start their series against the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Now, they desperately need a bounce-back performance in Game 2, or they will go down 2-0 in the series. This would put the Bolts in a bad position, as the Panthers will have home-ice advantage for Games 3 and 4. Thus, the Lightning need a win big time in Game 2.
If the Lightning can pick up a win in Game 2, it would undoubtedly make things less stressful for them. Going down 2-0 in the series would be a big challenge for the Lightning to overcome, so we will need to wait and see if they can avoid that from occurring from here.
Game 2 between the Lightning and Panthers will take place on April 24 at Amalie Arena. It will be interesting to see if the Lightning can get a much-needed win.
3 Lightning Players Who Must Step Up In Game 2
After an ugly 6-2 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 1, the Tampa Bay Lightning will look to turn things around in Game 2. If the Lightning hope to secure a win and tie the series up, they will need these three players to step up for them in Game 2.
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy had a rough Game 1 for the Lightning. The star goaltender allowed six goals on just 16 shots, so it was undoubtedly a game to forget for the 2012 first-round pick. He will now look to redeem himself and play much better in Game 2 from here.
The Lightning will be hoping that Vasilevskiy regains the elite form he had during the regular-season this year. In 63 appearances on the campaign, he had a 38-20-5 record, a .921 save percentage, and a 2.18 goals-against average.
Nikita Kucherov
The Lightning will be looking for a big performance from Kucherov in Game 2. While the 31-year-old winger recorded an assist in Game 1, he undoubtedly has the skill to put up a multi-point night. The Lightning will be hoping for that from him in an important Game 2.
Kucherov appeared in 78 regular-season games this season with the Lightning, where he had 37 goals and an NHL-leading 121 points.
Brandon Hagel
Hagel hit a new level for the Lightning this season, setting career highs with 35 goals, 55 assists, and 90 points. However, his start to the post-season was quiet, as he did not record a point and had a minus-2 rating in Game 1.
Hagel showed this regular-season that he has the tools to produce like a true star, and the Lightning need him to do just that in Game 2 against the Cats.
