Panthers’ Tkachuk sets tone for rest of Eastern Conference final; Zito named finalist for GM of the Year

Before putting the Panthers ahead 1-0 with the first goal of the Eastern Conference finals, Florida star Matthew Tkachuk delivered a message for the rest of the series, intentionally or not.

The standout forward delivered a huge, open-ice hit on Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck, helping get the Panthers going. A few minutes later, Tkachuk gave the Panthers the only goal they would need in their 3-0 win in Game 1 on Wednesday night. If Florida has its way, that sequence will also set the tone for the rest of the series...