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SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Whenever the New York Islanders got behind, they fought their way out of trouble.
And when they finally got the lead, they didn’t give it back.
John Tavares had a goal and two assists, including one that set up Kyle Okposo’s go-ahead goal early in the third period, and the Islanders beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in Game 1 of the teams’ Eastern Conference quarterfinal series on Thursday night.
Thomas Greiss survived a shaky beginning and made 42 saves for the Islanders in his first playoff start — the last of them coming off the stick of Jaromir Jagr after Florida pulled its goalie for an extra attacker in the final moments.