After scoring the most goals in the NHL during the regular season, the Panthers were held relatively in check during Game 1 against the Capitals as they struggled to generate speed through the neutral zone and set up their lethal offense, which led to fewer scoring chances.
But even though they never quite found their rhythm, they still nearly came out on top.
Holding onto a 2-1 lead early in the third period on goals from Sam Bennett and Claude Giroux, the Panthers, following a rather controversial non-icing call, surrendered the game-tying goal to Evgeny Kuznetsov after Alex Ovechkin had forced a turnover to set him loose on a breakaway.
A little over two minutes later, T.J. Oshie flew down the ice and re-directed a pass from Nicklas Backstrom past Sergei Bobrovsky to put the Capitals up 3-2. With 49 seconds left in regulation, Lars Eller then floated a long shot down the ice into Florida's empty net to lock in the 4-2 win.
The Panthers finished with the game with 13 giveaways, while the Capitals had just six.
"I think we did a lot of good things last game," Giroux said confidently. "We put ourselves in good position to win the game, but there were a few mistakes they were able to capitalize on. For us, it's just keep pushing and keep playing and believing what we do is going to work."
Back on the ice after missing the final six weeks of the season due to an injury, Aaron Ekblad looked no worse for wear in his return - a great sign for the Panthers. Posting a career-high 57 points (15 goals, 42 assists) prior to the injury, he skated a team-leading 24:11 in his return.
"I didn't really feel it all," Ekblad said of the injury. "That's a plus, for sure."
Playing in their own building where they won a franchise-record 34 games this season, the Panthers will also be looking for a less-stressful start in Game 2. Getting into some penalty trouble early, they gave the Capitals a pair of power plays less than four minutes into Game 1.
On the second of those power plays, Tom Wilson sent a rebound past Bobrovsky to break the ice and put the Panthers in an early 1-0 hole. But not long after that, Wilson exited the contest with a lower-body injury and, despite popping back out for a moment to test it, did not return.
With Wilson, who notched 52 points (24 goals, 28 assists) during the season, ruled out for Game 2 by head coach Peter Laviolette after this morning's skate, the Capitals have recalled rookie Brett Leason, who appeared in 36 games with Washington this season, from the AHL.
But regardless of who the other teams wheels out, the Cats are more focused on themselves.
"I think they had a little more will than we did," Panthers interim head coach Andrew Brunette said of Game 1. "A lot of the 50-50 puck battles, we were on the wrong side. It's something simple, but something so important. We need the puck for our team to play the way we want to play. We have to have the puck more, support it better and execute when we have it."
Making a few minor adjustments heading into Game 2, Noel Acciari will come off the bench and slot into the lineup for Ryan Lomberg on the fourth line for the Panthers, while Giroux will slide down to the third and Sam Reinhart will move up from the third to take his place on the second.
A veteran of 45 career playoff games, Acciari, who missed the first few months of the season due to an injury, racked up eight points (three goals, five assists) in 20 games down the stretch.
"He played so good down the stretch for us," Brunette said. "I'm expecting Acch to play the same way he always plays. He's one of those guys that's kind of built for playoff hockey."
Standing on his head while stopping 34 of 37 shots in Game 1, Bobrovsky, who finished tied for first in the NHL with 39 wins this season, will return to the crease for the Panthers, while Vitek Vanecek, who turned aside 30 of 32 shots his last time out, will go once again for the Capitals.
"We've just got to play our game," Verhaeghe said. "We made a couple adjustments. Just go into the game like we did all year. We've been a great team all year, so we're sticking with it."
