Matthew Tkachuk scored the game-winning goal and Sasha Barkov logged a pair of assists

The Florida Panthers began their quest to return to the Stanley Cup Final with a strong effort in Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Florida outshot, outhit and ultimately outscored the Lightning, skating to a 3-2 victory in their Stanley Cup Quarterfinal series.

Now we’ll see how both teams respond in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Florida appeared to be trying to set a physical tone early, out-hitting Tampa Bay 8-2 through the game’s first three minutes, highlighted by a crushing check by Dmitry Kulikov, who put Michael Eyssimont into the glass behind the Panthers net.

The strong start by the Cats would lead to the game’s opening goal, and it was the top line that made it happen.

A Vladimir Tarasenko steal below the Tampa goal line led to the puck finding Gus Forsling at the point, and his wrist shot was deflected by Sam Reinhart on its way past Andrei Vasilevskiy to put Florida ahead 1-0.

The Lightning didn’t register their first shot on goal until there were just over four minutes left in the first period, but scored shortly after when Brandon Hagel deposited a second rebound chance past a sprawling Sergei Bobrovsky.

A fast moving second period saw both team put up just five shots apiece, with each failing to score on a power play.

After forty minutes the game was remained tied at one. The two rivals combined for a whopping 77 hits: 40 for Florida and 37 for the Lightning.

Anton Lundell drew a holding penalty on Nicholas Paul as the second period was coming to a close, and Florida was able to take advantage…but not until the third period.

A perfect cross-ice pass from Barkov found a cutting Carter Verhaeghe at the back post to give Florida a 2-1 lead just 58 seconds into the final frame.

Despite quickly re-taking the lead, the Panthers kept their foot on the gas pedal and continued to pressure Tampa Bay, holding the Bolts to just four shots through the first 15 minutes of the final frame.

The Lightning pulled Vasilevskiy with just over three minutes to go, hoping for a final push on Bobrovsky.

It didn’t work.

Matthew Tkachuk scored into the vacated cage to put Florida ahead 3-1 with 2:05 to go.

A late power play goal by Steven Stamkos with 8.3 to go didn't make much of a difference. 

On to Game 2.

Here are some thoughts and observations from Game 1:

Florida’s top line was constantly in Tampa’s zone.

Reinhart picked up right where he left off in the regular season, when he scored four goals over the final three games. Reino had eight goals during Florida’s playoff run last year.

The same can be said for Barkov, who logged four assists over the final three games of the regular season. He had a pair in Game 1 against Tampa.

Florida limited the Bolts’ top ranked power play to only two opportunities, though they did score in the final seconds of the game. 

The Panthers went 1-for-3 on the man advantage. 

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