NHL roundup: Lightning grab 2-0 series edge on Panthers

[May 19, 2021]  The Tampa Bay Lightning scored twice in the first period and got 32 saves from Andrei Vasilevskiy to beat the Florida Panthers 3-1 in Game 2 of a Central Division first-round playoff series on Tuesday in Sunrise, Fla.

The Lightning now hold a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series as play shifts to Tampa for Game 3 on Thursday and Game 4 on Saturday.

Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat scored in the first period before Florida's Mason Marchment responded in the second. Yanni Gourde sealed the outcome with an empty-net goal with 1:25 remaining in the game.

Florida started Chris Driedger in net for Game 2 after Sergei Bobrovsky gave up five goals on 40 shots in the opener. Driedger ended up with 26 saves on 28 shots as he made his NHL postseason debut on his 27th birthday.

Penguins 2, Islanders 1

Pittsburgh scored twice in the first period, then held on behind 37 saves by goaltender Tristan Jarry to beat visiting New York in Game 2 of their East Division series, evening it at one win apiece.

Bryan Rust and Jeff Carter scored for Pittsburgh, the division winner. Jarry, who allowed four goals in Game 1 on Sunday, rebounded in Game 2.

Josh Bailey got the lone goal for New York, the fourth seed in the division. Semyon Varlamov, the Islanders' No. 1 goaltender who missed Game 1 with a lingering injury, returned with a strong effort and made 43 saves.

Golden Knights 3, Wild 1

Marc-Andre Fleury made 34 saves and Alex Tuch scored two goals a Vegas beat Minnesota in Las Vegas to even the West Division first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) and defenseman Victor Hedman (77) celebrate after defeating the Florida Panthers in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Marchessault also scored for Vegas, which improved to 4-0 all-time in Game 2s after losing the first game of a playoff set. The series now shifts to Saint Paul, Minn., for Game 3 on Thursday night. Vegas has never won a regulation game there.

Fleury recorded his 82nd career playoff victory while Tuch had his third career two-goal playoff game. Matt Dumba scored for Minnesota, and Cam Talbot finished with 25 saves.

Canucks 4, Flames 2 (regular season)

Tyler Myers, Brock Boeser and Travis Hamonic each collected one goal and an assist to lead Vancouver to a victory over visiting Calgary as the clubs took one more step to finally ending their regular seasons.

Nils Hoglander also scored for the Canucks, and goaltender Thatcher Demko made 38 saves. William Lockwood, a 2016 third-round draft choice, made his NHL debut in the Vancouver win.

Andrew Mangiapane and Matthew Tkachuk scored late goals in the loss. Louis Domingue, who made his first start since March 1, 2020, as a member of the Canucks, stopped 20 shots for the Flames. Calgary saw its modest three-game winning streak end.

--Field Level Media

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.