Florida Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck is on the mend, but whether he suits up in the first round still remains to be seen.

The 25-goal man took to the ice Saturday to test out his injured ankle, a positive step in his recovery, according to the Miami Herald's George Richards.

"He's getting better," said head coach Gerard Gallant.

Trocheck's with the club as it heads to Brooklyn, but whether the 22-year-old can play in Game 3 or Game 4 is up in the air.

The Pittsburgh native broke out in a big way in 2015-16, scoring 25 goals and adding 28 assists, both career highs. He played almost 18 minutes a game, had 13 power-play points, and contributed four game-winning goals. He finished fifth in team scoring, one of six Panthers to record 50 or more goals, in what was a very balanced attack.

The Panthers and Islanders split the first two games of their series.

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Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin was ruled a game-time decision for Game 2 on Saturday night versus the Minnesota Wild, head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed earlier in the day.

Seguin skated Saturday morning, and said he feels good to go, but it's up to Ruff.

The 24-year-old missed Game 1, and hasn't played since March 17 due to an Achilles injury.

The Stars, however, fared well without Seguin in the series opener, taking down the Wild 4-0.

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While Game 2 between the Chicago Blackhwaks and St. Louis Blues was thrilling, a lengthy stoppage in play had a huge role in the outcome.

With eight minutes remaining, it looked as though St. Louis had taken a 2-1 lead on a goal by Vladimir Tarasenko, but after a drawn-out review following a coach's challenge, the play was determined offside, reversing the call on the ice.

The change of fortunes took the air out of the Scottrade Center, and the arena fell silent minutes later after Andrew Shaw's goal - which was also challenged and reviewed - gave Chicago the lead. The Blackhawks ultimately prevailed 3-2 to tie the series.

The coach's challenge was introduced to the NHL this season, and although the right call was made Friday, neither captain was thrilled by the length of process.

"It's not easy," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said, according to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune. "It definitely is frustrating for both teams to have to wait that long. If we're going to get the bounce we'll wait as long as we have to, I guess. There's no doubt that to a certain degree it takes a little bit away from the energy of the building."

He added, "It's been predicted and talked about that that might happen in the playoffs. We were the benefactors in that situation."

In the other ear of the referee awaiting a decision was Blues captain David Backes.

"It was a five- or six-minute review," Backes said. "It felt like forever. ...

"When it goes your way, you love it. When it doesn't go your way, it's the worst rule created. But it's one of those things where you want it called right. I don't know if they need the football (way) under the hood and a time limit and (if) they haven't had evidence after the time limit, you move on with life and you keep playing."

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Spring must be Tyler Johnson's favorite time of year.

Scoring 23 points in 26 games, Johnson was instrumental during the Lightning's march to the Stanley Cup Final last postseason, and the Tampa Bay forward is off to a similar start a year later.

Johnson has six points in two games against the Detroit Red Wings, propelling Tampa Bay to a commanding 2-0 series lead, and his team has taken notice.

"You're learning that last year's playoffs were not a fluke," Lighting head coach Jon Cooper told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "Time and time again, playing in the big games, (Johnson) continues to rise to the occasion. Definitely glad he's on our bench."

Lightning forward Brian Boyle praised Johnson's performances as well.

"The kid has got a lot of heart. He's a huge part of our team and he's leading the way right now," he said.

Johnson's ability to step up in the absence of captain Steven Stamkos, especially after a disappointing regular season for himself, has been the difference in the series thus far.

"What we focus on the most is the playoffs," Johnson said. "That's what we play for, that's what we train for, that's the fun part of the year. It's been a frustrating year up to this point, but it's just getting ready for this."

Johnson scored just 38 points in 69 games this season, a year after notching a career-high 72.

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If you didn't peg the Detroit Red Wings or Tampa Bay Lighting as bitter rivals before the playoffs, the first two games of their first-round series have proved you wrong.

In the closing seconds of Game 2 on Friday night - a 5-2 Lightning victory - the teams engaged in a melee that would make the Hanson brothers proud, ultimately producing six 10-minute misconducts and a game misconduct.

Related: Watch: Abdelkader busts open Blunden with brutal ground-and-pound

The brawl was instigated by Red Wings forward Brad Richards, who slashed Lightning defenseman Andrej Sustr.

Detroit rookie Dylan Larkin had an understated assessment of the situation after the game.

"Both teams don't like each other very much," he told Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. "Maybe we sent a message we're here to battle."

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper wasn't concerned by the ending.

"Just imagine if it was the '70s," Cooper said. "It's 2016. To me, I thought that was pretty mild. It's two teams that want to win a hockey game and guys are going at it. If there was anything wrong about it, I'm sure the league will look into it. It was a hard-fought hockey game and emotions got the best of both teams in the end."

Veteran Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall shared the same view as the opposing coach.

"There's a lot of emotions in the playoffs," Kronwall said. "Stuff like that happens."

Tampa Bay forward Mike Blunden, who said he required nine stitches after a vicious attack from Justin Abdelkader, shrugged it off.

"It's hockey," Blunden said. "We're in a battle. We're battling out there. Just part of the game."

After a chippy Game 1, Cooper said he'd expected both teams to cool off in Game 2.

"Clearly wrong," Cooper admitted, according to Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times.

Game 3 goes Sunday in Detroit. Buckle up.

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ANAHEIM, Calif. - Filip Forsberg got credit for the tiebreaking goal with 9:35 to play, and the Nashville Predators opened their first-round playoff series with a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.

Pekka Rinne made 27 saves for the Predators, who got the early jump on the Pacific Division champion Ducks with a gritty road effort.

James Neal and Colin Wilson also scored, while Forsberg scored the go-ahead goal when his cross-ice pass to Craig Smith hit defenseman Shea Theodore's skate and trickled past John Gibson.

Forsberg was dangerous all night, and not just with the puck. His open-ice hit on Josh Manson at the first-period buzzer knocked the Anaheim defenseman out of the game.

Game 2 is Sunday night in Anaheim.

Captain Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler scored for the Ducks, who lost an opener for just the second time in seven playoff series under coach Bruce Boudreau.

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Ryan Ellis has something for Drew Doughty and Danny DeKeyser.

The Nashville Predators defender may have outdid Doughty's pad stack and trumped DeKeyser's butt save, using a combination of both to deny Anaheim Ducks forward Jamie McGinn in Game 1.

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If you were expecting a meltdown from Ken Hitchcock after video reviews for on-ice goals went against the St. Louis Blues in succession - thus preventing them from perhaps taking a 2-0 stranglehold on the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks - prepare to be disappointed.

Hitchcock, who some believe may be on the chopping block should the Blues fail to topple the Blackhawks, took the potentially-calamitous misfortune quite well.

"It's always going to seem like it's one-sided. Big deal. Fight through it," Hitchcock said, almost smiling.

"And if we expect to beat Chicago in this series we're going to have to fight through more than just Chicago. They're a hell of a hockey club.

"They've got a lot of information on how to win. There's other elements there that we're going to have to fight through. And we're going to have to find a way to do it. If we expect to beat them, we're going to have to be better in a lot of elements, and know that we're going to get calls that aren't going to go our way."

St. Louis came undone when Vladimir Tarasenko's go-ahead goal with a little less than eight minutes left was disallowed. He took a slashing penalty moments later, leading to a power-play goal from Andrew Shaw that withstood additional inspection.

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