Going Nuts For Bolts: Lightning Takes Toronto 7-3 In 1st Playoff Game

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay is singing the blues but, in this case, that's a good thing.

After winning Game 1 of the NHL Playoffs first game of the first-round series 7-3, the Lightning will head into Game 2 on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

The Lightning exploded onto the ice in Toronto, quickly taking the lead 3-0. After letting Toronto score twice, the Bolts came back with three power plays, winning the day with a big boost from goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who stopped 28 of 31 Toronto shots.

Meanwhile, Lightning fever is spreading across Tampa Bay as head coach Jon Cooper's team sets its sights on earning the franchise's fourth Stanley Cup.

Hillsborough County, better known as “BoltsBorough,” is backing the Bolts in the NHL Playoffs Stanley Cup Playoffs by shining Bolts blue lights on landmarks like the gazebo at the Joe Chilllura Courthouse Square and unveiling a new Lightning banner on the Pierce Street Garage at 319 N. Pierce St., Tampa.

Displaying her Bolt pride, the ever-intrepid Tampa Mayor Jane Castor rode a fire engine bucket up the side of Tampa City Hall with Lightning mascot Thunderbug to drop the "Go Bolts" banner for the sixth year in a row, the number of times the Bolts have made the NHL Playoffs.

Here's the schedule to date in the best of series:

• Game 2: Lightning at Maple Leafs, Thursday, April 20
• Game 3: Lightning vs. Maple Leafs, Saturday, April 22
• Game 4: Lightning vs. Maple Leafs, Monday, April 24
• Game 5: Lightning at Maple Leafs, Thursday, April 27, if necessary
• Game 6: Lightning vs. Maple Leafs, Saturday, April 29, if necessary
• Game 7: Lightning at Maple Leafs, Monday, May 1, if necessary

For game tickets, click here.

The watch party for Game 2 of the First Round series against the Maple Leafs will be held at Sparkman Wharf in Tampa. The party starts an hour before puck drop on the lawn.

The official Lightning Watch Parties presented by Bud Light will include live entertainment, appearances from ThunderBug and other Lightning personalities, giveaways and concession specials.