Lightning Prepare for Playoffs Against Panthers

The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to compete against the defending champion Florida Panthers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The playoffs start off with game one tomorrow in Tampa, with the two rivals battling at Amalie Arena. The puck drops at 8:30 p.m.

This will be the fourth time in five years the highly anticipated “Battle of Florida” will be taking place. With Lightning coming out victorious in two of their past battles, they are looking to add a third playoff win against the Cats.

The Battle of Florida continues. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/LX2OzCeoxO

— x – Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 16, 2025

Regular Season Matchups

The Tampa Bay Lightning fought against the Florida Panthers Tuesday to end their regular season rivalry. Tampa Bay came out on top 5-1 after taking 31 shots to pressure the Panthers. The Panthers took 24 shots on net, but the Lightning only allowed one to slip through. With this game ending the Panthers’ regular season, the Panthers look to fix their mistakes to improve their performance in game one of the series.

Lightning Vs. Panthers Statistics

The Lightning ended off their regular season with a record of 47-27-8 overall and 11-12-3 (2nd place) in the Atlantic Division. Some top performers that are expected to play in game one are right-wing Nikita Kucherov and left-wing Brandon Hagel. Kucherov leads Tampa Bay with 37 scored goals and 83 assists this season, while Hagel holds 2 goals and 8 completed assists over the last 10 games. In those last 10 games for Tampa Bay, they averaged 3.5 goals, 6.1 assists, and 3.1 penalties while only giving up 2.6 goals per game.

The Panthers completed their regular season with a record of 47-31-4 overall and 12-12-2 (3rd place) in the Atlantic Division. The Panthers top performers that are expected to play in game one are center players Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe. Reinhart holds 39 scored goals and 42 assists this season, while Verhaeghe has secured three goals and four assists over the last 10 games. In those last 10 games for the Panthers, they averaged two goals, 3.5 assists, and 4.6 penalties while only giving up 2.7 goals per game.

There are no recorded injuries for either teams. Both teams expect to play their starters accordingly.

Tune In For Game 1 Coverage

The Lightning battle the Panthers to start off the Playoffs Tuesday. Only one comes out on top.

The puck drops at 8:30 p.m. Find full coverage of the match-up on ESPN+.