Video: Kucherov wastes little time and scores the first goal of the playoffs.

Despite the fact that it appeared to be the Detroit Red Wings who controlled the early stages of the first period in Game 1 of their first round match up against the Tampa Bay Lightning, it was the Lightning who got on the board first.

With just the second shot of the game for Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov blasted home a one-timer from Tyler Johnson past Jimmy Howard to give the Tampa Bay the first goal of the 2016 playoffs and a 1-0 lead.

It wasn't the start the Red Wings wanted, Johnson was a player many credited for getting the Lightning through the first round series against Detroit, and if he finds his groove it could be bad for Detroit. As for the goal scorer Kucherov, he's coming of a career best 30 goals this season, and appears ready to continue that success in the postseason.

[pub]