The Florida Panthers lost their home ice edge in the first round when they suffered a 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders in Game 1. Tonight they got it back as Florida clawed its way to a 2-1 victory in front of a Brooklyn crowd.
Teddy Purcell struck first for the Panthers by capitalizing on a power-play opportunity. Jaromir Jagr assisted on that marker, which gives him 200 points in 206 career playoff contests.
John Tavares evened the score with just 16 seconds left in the second period. He’s been doing his part with three goals and seven points in the series. However, it was Panthers defenseman Alex Petrovic that proved to be the unlikely hero tonight.
Petrovic had just two goals in 112 career regular season games and no markers in three playoff contests going into tonight’s action.
This was also a good night for Roberto Luongo, who saved 26 of 27 shots. At the other end of the ice, Islanders netminder Thomas Greiss kicked out 27 of 29 shots.
With the series now tied at 2-2, Game 5 will be hosted by the Panthers on Friday.
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