Welcome to our 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs series recap editions, as we present a review of the Panthers and the Lightning. The Battle of Florida returned with all the ferocity of a gator in a golf course pond, and this year, the Florida Panthers knocked their cross-state rivals out of the playoffs again, just like last year. Florida took the series 4-1 and left the Tampa Bay Lightning looking more like a rug’s static electricity rather than a Zeus lightning bolt. Let’s dig in.
NHL Series Review Analysis of Lightning and Panthers
Game 1: Panthers Pounce Early (FLA 6, TBL 2)
The Panthers came out in Game 1 like they were late for dinner—fast, hungry, and a bit violent. Matthew Tkachuk was everywhere, posting two goals and one assist while driving Tampa’s defence into a group existential crisis. Florida outshot Tampa 37-22 and went 2-for-4 on the power play. Nate Schmidt also put in two Goals. Tampa looked like they were still searching for the arena entrance.
Game 2: Bobrovsky Builds a Brick Wall (FLA 2, TBL 0)
Sergei Bobrovsky pitched a shutout, stopping all 19 shots as the Panthers took a 2-0 series lead. This was Bobrovsky’s third career playoff shutout. This man was denying shots like a bouncer at a Miami nightclub. The Panthers blocked 20 shots, compared to six by Tampa and went 0-for-5 on the power play, which NHL Predictions decoded as “we’re not going to win this series like this.”
Game 3: Lightning Finally Strikes (TBL 5, FLA 1)
In an enemy arena, Tampa looked like their old selves; finally remembering that offence is, in fact, allowed. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 33 saves, and Jake Guentzel led the scoring with a goal and two assists. Tampa’s top line accounted for seven points. They also outhit Florida 42-28, because when all else fails, remember you’re holding a weapon and just start shoving.
Game 4: Blink and You’ll Miss It (FLA 4, TBL 2)
This game was neck-and-neck—until it wasn’t. Although Tampa blocked 20 shots, it wasn’t enough. Seth Jones and Aaron Ekblad scored 11 seconds apart in the third period with 3:27 minutes left. Florida out-hit Tampa 46-28, and it showed. The Lightning looked like they’d just watched their GPS reroute mid-game.
Game 5: Good Grief! Rats Unleashed (FLA 6, TBL 3)
Eetu Luostarinen decided to channel his inner Gretzky, racking up one goal and three assists. Tampa, meanwhile, brought a pillow fight to a lion’s den by not scoring in the final 30 minutes after it was tied 3-3. Both teams went 1-for-3 on the Power Play. Once again, the Florida Hits difference (46-26) was the most glaring discrepancy. Even the Zamboni needed a breather after this one.
NHL Predictions Series Summary: Panthers Dominate, Lightning Short-Circuit
The Panthers won all three road games and moved to 23-0 in playoff games when leading after two periods since 2022. Meanwhile, Tampa was sent packing with their alligator luggage with more questions than answers, and at least one broken stick per player.
Florida roared. Tampa fizzled. And somewhere, a confused Northeastern snowbird said, “Wait, we have hockey here in Florida?”
NHL Predictions: Up Next
The Panthers await the winner of Toronto vs. Ottawa. The Senators kept their Battle of Ontario alive with 4-0 win over Maple Leafs, who still hold a 3-2 series lead. Either way, the Cats are purring and opponents should beware, especially if you’re Canadian and still bitter about the whole “sunshine tax” thing.
Early on we think it’s a good bet that Florida will continue to defend its Cup in the next series and move on, regardless of their opponent. Toronto finished the regular season with the most points (108), but they are a notoriously bad playoff team. Ask any Toronto fan. Ottawa was the lowest-seeded team (second wild card) and may play spunky, but it won’t be enough. But hey, be careful, there’s no such thing as a sure thing. That’s why they call it gambling.
Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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