The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning will meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth time in five years.
The Panthers won the last series en route to winning the 2024 Stanley Cup, but the Bolts took the two previous encounters in the playoffs.
Panthers vs. Lightning series odds
- Panthers -115
- Lightning -105
The Panthers are a slight favorite to win the series according to the betting market, though the Lightning are the higher seed and have home-ice advantage.
Florida is also the favorite to win the Stanley Cup at most sportsbooks, though the odds at the top of the betting board could hardly be tighter.
Tampa Bay has become a trendy outsider pick to make a run this spring after a terrific stretch run, and the resurgence of Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal.
The Lightning and Panthers are two of the best defensive teams at 5-on-5, and both boast superstar talent at the top of the roster.
Florida is dealing with injury issues, as Matthew Tkachuk's status is still unknown. The Cats will be without Aaron Ekblad until Game 3 as he finishes up serving his suspension.
Oliver Bjorkstrand isn't expected to play for Tampa Bay in this series.
Panthers vs. Lightning series schedule
- Game 1 – Panthers at Lightning on Tuesday, April 22 (AMALIE Arena) 8:30 p.m.
- Game 2 – Panthers at Lightning on Thursday, April 24 (AMALIE Arena) 6:30 p.m.
- Game 3 – Lightning at Panthers on Saturday, April 26 (Amerant Bank Arena) 1 p.m.
- Game 4 – Lightning at Panthers on Monday, April 28 (Amerant Bank Arena) TBD
- Game 5 – Panthers at Lightning on Wednesday, April 30 (AMALIE Arena)*
- Game 6 – Lightning at Panthers on Friday, May 2 (Amerant Bank Arena)*
- Game 7 – Panthers at Lightning on Sunday, May 4 (AMALIE Arena)*