The New York Islanders have done a good job of keeping Florida’s top line of Aleksander Barkov, Jaromir Jagr and Jonathan Huberdeau off the scoresheet, but it’s the Panthers’ second line that’s given them fits.
Coming into Game 3, the line of Nick Bjugstad, Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith had combined for five goals and 11 points.
On Sunday, it didn’t take one of them very long to find the back of the net. Smith gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead just 2:25 into the game. The 25-year-old already has four goals and six points in just over two playoff games in 2016.
Reilly Smith is now the playoff goal-scoring leader with four.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 18, 2016
Great job by Reilly Smith and Nick Bjugstad keeping that puck deep...turns into yet another Smith goal; #FlaPanthers 1-0
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) April 18, 2016
Reilly Smith has 4 goals in the first 7 periods of the #StanleyCupPlayoffs for @FlaPanthers
— Doug Plagens (@DougPlagens) April 18, 2016
The Panthers have a 1-0 lead at the first intermission.