The start of the series against the Florida Panthers, dubbed the `Battle of Florida,` was not favorable for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Not only were they heavily defeated by the Panthers in Game 1 on Tuesday, but they now face concern over the condition of a key forward.
Center Anthony Cirelli sustained an injury during the second period of Game 1 and did not participate in the third period.
The 27-year-old forward seemed to be injured early in the second while delivering a hit in the offensive zone. He initially went to the locker room but returned to the ice for a short time before the period concluded.
Cirelli`s total ice time was limited to just 6:21, and he finished the game with a minus-2 rating.
This season, the player from Etobicoke, Ontario, registered 27 goals and 32 assists across 80 games for the Lightning.
Tristan Blackwood