NHL Friday: Lightning propelled to 2-0 series lead by Tyler Johnson

The Ducks and Predators had to wait three days to play their first game of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, but it was worth the wait in a 3-2 Nashville victory.

Anaheim was able to respond late in the first after the Predators found themselves taking two late penalties to force a Ducks 5-on-3. Captain Ryan Getzlaf tapped in the puck at the side of the cage after it dinged off the post for the 1-1 equalizer.

A back and forth third period looked to benefit the Blues as Tarasenko seemingly scored his second goal of the game. However, the goal was called off after a lengthy review after it was determined St. Louis was offside on the play by the slimmest margin possible.

The Blackhawks pushed on an ensuing power play and got the tie-breaking 2-1 goal from Andrew Shaw. The play was reviewed by the officials first and was ruled a goal. Then, St. Louis challenged for goaltender interference and there was not enough evidence to turn the goal over.

The Islanders finally broke through in the dying moments of the third period. Captain Jonathan Tavares -- who had three points in Game 1 -- picked up some garbage at the side of the net and put home his second of the series to make it 2-1.

Despite the tense final moments, Dmitri Kulikov got the empty net goal for the Panthers to keep an Islander comeback off the table and even the series to 1-1.

A pair of goals from Tyler Johnson helped the Lightning double up the Red Wings in a 5-2 victory. Quick strikes were the key for Tampa Bay as the Lightning now take a 2-0 series lead into Detroit for the next pair.

The Red Wings had four power play opportunities headed into the third period and they finally lit the lamp on their fifth. Detroit got the cycle going and former Lightning Brad Richards beat Bishop high four and a half minutes into the frame.

Things are getting scrappy between the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers and the result is standing room only in the penalty box.

Nothing says Stanley Cup Playoffs quite like seven guys heading to the penalty box at the same time. Three players from each team drew roughing penalties while New York’s Casey Cizikas drew two penalties for doing this.

No ifs ands or buts about it, folks, DeKeyser’s backside has the save of the game so far.

It was a great night for butts in the NHL on Friday as Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis also utilized his backside to save a goal.

Two of the strongest second half teams in the NHL will open their first-round series of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday. The series between the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks might be the last to get off the ground, but it could also be the most entertaining.

Nobody in the Western Conference has been as hot as the Predators over the last couple of months. Nashville’s season pivoted from decent to an excellent when it traded for center Ryan Johansen in January. Filip Forsberg was the first Predator with 30 goals since 2010, and he was followed shortly after by James Neal. The Predators have always been able to keep the puck out of the net, but now they can put it in the other one just as easily.

A win on Friday night would go a long way in ensuring Tampa Bay won’t need seven games to dispatch Detroit for a second straight year.

Tampa Bay also held Detroit to 0-for-5 on the power play in Game 1.