SUNRISE, Fla. — Tampa Bay is trying to bounce back Tuesday night in Game 2 of the opening round playoff series against Florida.
Florida won Game 1 3-2 on Sunday.
What You Need To Know
- GAME 2: Tampa Bay at Florida, 7:30 p.m. (Bally Sun Sports, ESPN2)
- Florida won Game 1 3-2
- NHL PLAYOFFS COVERAGE
- Lightning hosting Playoff Watch Party Tuesday night at Midtown Tampa
The Lightning got off to a slow start in Game 1 but despite being outshot, the Bolts eventually made adjustments and made a game of it heading into the third period in a 1-1 game. But the Panthers were able to slow things down and play at their pace.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper was unfazed after losing Game 1 at Florida, with good reason. Game 1s are nice, sure, but they guarantee nothing.
Since taking over in Tampa Bay, Cooper’s teams have won nine different series — including the 2020 Stanley Cup final — after losing Game 1.
“Have you seen us play in the playoffs for the last decade? These boys have weathered all the frustration they possibly can, and we’ve seen it every different way,” Cooper said. “Florida is an exceptional team. They’re going to do this. They’ve done it to teams all year and they’re going to do it to us for the rest of the playoffs. And so, it’s our job to fight through it.”
Florida lost Game 1 of Round 1 last year as well, in Boston — and went to the Stanley Cup final.
“We know there’s a long way to go,” said Panthers forward Sam Reinhart, who scored Sunday and now has 58 goals this season — one shy of matching Pavel Bure’s Panthers single-season record (when counting both regular season and playoffs).