But coach Gerard Gallant has several young players in key roles throughout his lineup, many of them going through this for the first time. He's been pleased with the results through the first four games.
"I think those kids have been outstanding for us," Gallant said. "They're playing real good hockey. Some have hardly played NHL games, let alone playoff games. We tell them, 'Go play your game. We like what you do, go play your game. It doesn't matter what the situation is, it's the first round of the playoffs, work hard.' And so far the kids have been outstanding for us."
That includes 22-year-old forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who gave the Panthers a scare midway through the second period when he briefly left the game after colliding with Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss. But Huberdeau, who plays left wing on the top line alongside Jagr and 20-year-old Aleksander Barkov, quickly returned and was on the ice for each of Florida's goals.
"You learn a lot. It's just exciting," said Huberdeau, the No. 3 pick at the 2011 NHL Draft. "It's my fourth year and having a chance to play in the playoffs is just awesome. The level is harder and there's always pressure on the ice. It's cool to live that.
"We're a confident group and we know what we can do. I think that's why we're here right now. Now, we're just going back home 2-2. It was a huge win for us. Now, it's going to be nice to have the home-ice advantage."
Petrovic split last season between Florida and San Antonio of the American Hockey League, a team that won 45 regular-season games and was expected to do big things in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Instead, it was swept by Oklahoma City in the opening round.