Both teams came prepared to play to open up the first as scoring chances were hard to come by. Arizona stuck by their stubborn defensive philosophy, making it hard for the Panthers to generate anything of substance.
The Coyotes came close to opening up the scoring first as Lawson Crouse walked in alone and fired a shot off the crossbar. Moments later, Jonathan Huberdeau rushed down the ice – after being sprung with a pass by Aleksander Barkov – and struck iron, as well.
As the period progressed, Florida managed to open up the game, controlling most of the play in the Coyotes’ end.