SUNRISE - There were many signs that pointed in a positive direction for the Tampa Bay Lightning heading into Game 5 of their opening round series against the Florida Panthers.
The offense was stellar in the opening four games, scoring 19 times including 11 combined in Games 3 and 4.
Nikita Kucherov, who was slashed to the back of the knee by Anthony Duclair, escaped serious injury. Same with Mikhail Sergachev after he took a hard hit from Patric Hornqvist.
With an eye on getting a few extra days of rest, the Lightning felt confident.
The only thing they didn't account for was having to face...
