NHL roundup: Panthers top Lightning in OT for 2-0 series lead

Carter Verhaeghe scored on a backhander 2:59 into overtime as the Florida Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Tuesday in Game 2 of a first-round Eastern Conference playoff series at Sunrise, Fla.

Florida won its 11th consecutive playoff overtime game, eight of those since the start of the 2023 postseason. The Panthers lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

Sam Bennett and Verhaeghe each had a goal and an assist and Vladimir Tarasenko also scored for the Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky made 21 saves for the victory.

Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos scored for Tampa Bay, and Victor Hedman added two assists. Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy made 34 saves.

Rangers 4, Capitals 3

Jack Roslovic and K'Andre Miller scored on special teams 4:26 apart in the second period and host New York hung on for a victory over Washington in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

New York's Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad netted goals in the first period. Alexis Lafreniere and Erik Gustafsson collected two assists apiece. Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 22 saves.

Tom Wilson finished with a goal and an assist while Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome also scored for the Capitals. Charlie Lindgren allowed four goals on 27 shots.

Avalanche 5, Jets 2

Alexandar Georgiev made 28 saves and visiting Colorado beat Winnipeg in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

Artturi Lehkonen had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit with three goals in the final 5:44 of the second period. Georgiev bounced back after allowing seven goals on 23 shots in a Game 1 loss.

David Gustafsson and Mark Scheifele scored for the Jets, and Connor Hellebuyck made 27 saves.

Predators 4, Canucks 1

Anthony Beauvillier and Filip Forsberg each collected one goal and one assist to pace visiting Nashville to a victory over Vancouver, evening their Western Conference first-round playoff series at one win apiece.

Colton Sissons and Kiefer Sherwood also scored for the Predators. Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros made 17 saves, including a few highlight-reel efforts while the Canucks pushed frantically in the third period to try and draw even.

Nikita Zadorov had the Canucks' lone goal. Casey DeSmith, who was in net with No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko out due to an injury, stopped 12 of the 15 shots he faced.

—Field Level Media