SUNRISE, Fla. -- Kyle Okposo scored the tie-breaking goal with 17:27 left in the third period as the New York Islanders beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night at the BB&T Center.
The Islanders rallied from three deficits, getting tying scores from Brock Nelson, Frans Nielsen and John Tavares. The fifth goal was scored by Ryan Strome, who pounced on a rebound with 13:59 left.
On the tie-breaking goal, Tavares stole the puck from Florida defenseman Brian Campbell and fed to Okposo.
Tavares, who led the Islanders with 33 goals in the regular season, was brilliant against Florida, posting one goal and two assists.