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Panthers score twice in the third period and beat the Lightning 3-2 in Game 1 of NHL playoffs
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Teammates congratulate Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) after Tkachuk scored an empty-net goal during the third period of Game 1 of the first-round of an NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. - photo by AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Here's a sentence that has never been said: Florida leads Tampa Bay in a playoff series. And for the Panthers, that's a great way to start. Carter Verhaeghe tapped in a pinpoint pass from Aleksander Barkov for the lead 58 seconds into the third period, Matthew Tkachuk added a goal and an assist and the Panthers beat the Lightning 3-2 in Game 1 of their NHL playoff series Sunday.