Schmidt scores again, Bobrovsky has
19 saves as Panthers beat Lightning 2-0 for 2-0 series lead
[April 25, 2025]
By ERIK ERLENDSSON
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Nate Schmidt scored his third goal in two games,
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 19 shots and the Florida Panthers beat the
Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the
first-round playoff series.
Sam Bennett added an empty-netter with 4 seconds left. Bobrovsky got
his fourth career playoff shutout, and his first since Game 1 of
last year’s Stanley Cup Final against Edmonton.
Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 21 saves for Tampa Bay.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be Saturday on the Panthers'
ice at Sunrise.
“I liked some things that we did in our own end very, very well,″
Florida coach Paul Maurice said. “They’re a dynamic offensive team,
so there’s always places we can get better.″
Schmidt, who scored twice in Game 1, got the Panthers on the
scoreboard 4:15 into the game following an icing call against Tampa
Bay. Aleksander Barkov won the faceoff clean back to Sam Reinhart
who passed it over to Schmidt for a one-timer from the right circle
that beat Vasilevskiy.
“He needs to keep shooting the puck,″ Florida defenseman Seth Jones
said of Schmidt. ”He’s got a great shot, he’s being aggressive right
now. It’s great to see.″
The goal came after Tampa Bay misfired on two open looks when Jake
Guentzel was alone at the post and missed the net 53 seconds in,
then Brayden Point was open between the hashmarks and put a backhand
chance wide at 1:52.
“I thought we had enough chances in a game this tight,″ Lightning
coach Jon Cooper said. ”Some nights they go in, actually, most
nights they go in, tonight, they didn’t, unfortunately. It’s tough.″
The Lightning, who finished fifth in the league on the power play in
the regular season, went 0 for 5 and were held to just two shots on
goal on the advantages.
[to top of second column] |
Florida Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) celebrates his goal
against the Tampa Bay Lightning with center Aleksander Barkov (16),
Sam Reinhart (13) and Uvis Balinskis (26) during the first period in
Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series,
Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
“I think the entries were not as good tonight,″
Point said. “They did a good job at the line, and that’s something
that we have to look at. We’ll do video and all that stuff to try to
be better in the next one.″
Barkov left the game midway through the third period after a hit
from Brandon Hagel, who received a five-minute major for
interference on the play at 9:51. Barkov did not return.
Maurice did not have an update on Barkov’s condition after the game.
The Lightning were the highest-scoring team in the league during the
regular season — averaging 3.56 goals per game — but have been held
to two goals through two games in the series. Art Ross Trophy winner
Nikita Kucherov, who led the league with 121 points, has been held
to one assist and three shots on goal.
“They grind, they keep their offense to the outside,″ Bobrovsky said
of his teammates. "The guys have a great gap, great box outs, all
those little details.″
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