TORONTO — Before you can lift the Stanley Cup, you have to get out of the first round, and an opening-round win can set the tone for a deep playoff run.
The Lightning don’t need to be reminded of that. Two years ago, their five-overtime win over the Blue Jackets in Game 1 launched them to greatness. And last postseason’s crash course with the state-rival Panthers was as much a slugfest as a contest of skill that propelled the Lightning to another Cup.
This year’s opening-round matchup against the Maple Leafs?
