Time: 8:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: BB&T Center
Broadcast/Streaming: CNBC, SN, TVAS, BSFL, BSSUN
Normally the first game of a playoff series has a bit of a tentative feel to it. The two teams spend the first period or so figuring each other out to set up the rest of the series. The Lightning and Panthers threw that strategy in the penalty box and went at it from the opening whistle. Part of that comes from having met each other so much over the regular season thanks to the in-division only schedule. What was left to find out about teams that had faced each other eight times over the last few months?