They lost 4-1 in Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, despite scoring the first goal of the game. What made the difference? Certainly the goaltenders, as usual in the playoffs.
One thing that the team will have to fix in order to win this series is their defensive structure, especially when your goaltender is unpredictable.
They may have a better offensive depth, but defense wins championship. Not offense. Will the Panthers put Spencer Knight in front of the net for Game 2? Maybe.
By the way, Claude Giroux finished with 3 shots and 18:15 of ice time in Game 1.