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Point scores 2 in 3rd to lift Lightning over Panthers 5-4

Tampa Bay takes Game 1 of playoff series

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Brayden Post scores game-winning goal past Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in first game of playoffs, May 16, 2021

Joel Auerbach/AP

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Brayden Point scores the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal past Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky during the third period in Game 1 of a Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla.

By: Paul Gereffi

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SUNRISE, Fla. — Brayden Point scored two late goals, including the game-winner with 1:14 left in the third period, to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Florida Panthers 5-4 Sunday night to take Game 1 of their playoff series.

Nikita Kucherov scored two power-play goals in his first appearance of the season, and Blake Coleman had a short-handed goal.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Brayden Point celebrates after scoring game-winning goal at Florida Panthers in first game of playoffs, May 16, 2021 — Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Brayden Point celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of a Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla.

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 35 saves. Victor Hedman had three assists. Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and two assists and Owen Tippitt also recorded a goal and an assist for the Panthers.

Aleksander Barkov had a goal and an assist and Carter Verhaeghe scored a goal against his former team.

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 34 shots. Keith Yandle and Sam Bennett each had two assists for Florida.

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Point scores 2 in 3rd to lift Lightning over Panthers 5-4

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