Andrei Vasilevskiy (© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)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.
