The Lightning will look generate momentum early in Game 2.
The Lightning had a slow start to the first period Sunday night in Game 1, with the Panthers showing their physicality early. The Lightning have been here many times over the years, and as the game went on, the Bolts settled in. Here’s everything you need to know for Game 2 in Sunrise.
Additions on defense
The Lightning recalled defenseman Max Crozier from the Syracuse Crunch Monday morning, giving them five right-shot defensemen.
The left side has been ever-changing this season, with Victor Hedman being the one constant. Right-shot defenseman Nick Perbix has currently been playing on the left side, but it’s been a difficult adjustment for him. Veteran defenseman Matt Dumba slotted into that same spot at practice on Monday.
Haydn Fleury does play the left side, but has been out of the lineup since April 6th with an upper body injury. He could make a return soon if he’s physically capable. Calvin de Haan plays on the left-side as well, but hasn’t seen much action as of late.
Calling up Crozier could mean the Lightning are looking to make a change on the blue line for Game 2.
Where adjustments could come in
“I think the series is going to look like this until somebody has to change the way they’re doing things because it’s just not working for them,” Florida coach Paul Maurice said after Game 1. “There wasn’t enough sustained action for either team to say, ‘Yeah, we’ve got it.’ ”
He’s right to an extent, but for the Lightning, some slight adjustments will put them in a good position for Game 2.
The Panthers immediately showed their physicality and forecheck early on in Game 1. They pressured the Lightning for a portion of the first period, throwing them off their game a bit. The Lightning were able to weather it for the most part, but they can’t afford to do that in Game 2.
While the power plays were almost even at 3-2 in favor of Florida, Tampa Bay didn’t get their second until there were 8.3 seconds left in the game.
For Game 2, the Lightning will have to get back to their plan and dictate the pace of the game. They’ve always played their best hockey when they match the physicality of their opponent.
Apr 21, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) moves the puck as Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Anthony Duclair (10) defends during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena.Even Strength Goals
The team’s power play has been stellar this season, but based on what we saw in Game 1, they can’t only rely on the refs to call penalties.
The Lightning will need more goals like the one Brandon Hagel scored on. They were all over two rebounds, forcing Sergei Bobrovsky out of position. Hagel was able to capitalize off of that and grab his first goal of the post season. If they can get a couple of those, the Lightning should be in good shape.
"There's certainly no panic in here,” captain Steven Stamkos said after practice on Monday. “We've been on both sides where we've won the first game and lost the series and plenty of times where we've lost the first game and won the series. It's just about executing next game for us."
Injuries
Haydn Fleury - Upper-body, Day-to-day
Jonas Johansson - Lower-body, Day-to-day
Mikhail Sergachev - Lower-body, Out
Puck drop is at 7:30pm EST at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL.