Islanders take 1-0 series lead, dump Panthers in Game 1 in Florida

The Islanders took a 1-0 lead in their first round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Panthers, going on the road at Florida and coming away with a highly impressive 5-4 victory.

The Panthers held leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 but the Isles kept coming.

John Tavares’ goal just prior to the second intermission knotted the game at 3 and Kyle Okposo’sgoal at the 2:33 mark of the third period (assisted by Tavares) gave the Islanders a lead they would never relinquish.

Brock Nelson, FransNielsen andRyan Stromealso lit the lamp for the Isles.

The Islanders and Panthers will get right back at it Friday forGame 2 (7:30 p.m., MSG+).