ERIK ERLENDSSON

Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with center Anton Lundell (15) during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Panthers advance to the second round after defeating Tampa Bay in 5 games

Eetu Luostarinen had a goal and three assists to lead the Florida Panthers to a 6-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning and advance Florida to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Florida Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with center Aleksander Barkov (16), Sam Reinhart (13) and Uvis Balinskis (26) during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Schmidt scores again, Bobrovsky has 19 saves as Panthers beat Lightning 2-0 for 2-0 series lead

Nate Schmidt scored his third goal in two games, Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 19 shots and the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series. Sam Bennett added an empty-netter with 4 seconds left.

Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates with the bench after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tkachuk stars in his return by scoring twice as the Panthers top Lightning 6-2 in series opener

Matthew Tkachuk had two power-play goals and an assist in his first game after a two-month absence and the Florida Panthers opened defense of their Stanley Cup title with a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opener of the teams’ first-round playoff series.

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with center Brayden Point (21) and center Yanni Gourde (37) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov quietly among NHL’s best again as playoff showdown with Florida arrives

Tampa Bay Lightning wing Nikita Kucherov just won his second consecutive regular-season scoring title and third overall.

Florida Panthers goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) makes a save on a shot by Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Brayden Point’s goal, 2 assists help Lightning beat Panthers 5-1

Brayden Point had a goal and two assists to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 5-1 victory against the Florida Panthers. Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assists and Yanni Gourde added two assists.

Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) celebrates afrter scoring past Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Matthew Knies scores in OT for his second hat trick and the Maple Leafs beat the Lightning 4-3

Matthew Knies scored a game-winning goal in overtime to record his second hat trick of the season, and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) prepares before a face off during an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Dallas, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Anthony Cirelli scores twice in his 500th career game as the Lightning defeat the Penguins 6-1

Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1 on Tuesday night. Anthony Cirelli scored twice in the first period, Brandon Hagel and Ryan McDonagh both had a goal and an assist.

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy spray water on on his face during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers Monday, March 3, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Andrei Vasilevskiy stops 21 shots in Lightning’s 2-0 win over Flyers

Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded his sixth shutout of the season after stopping 21 shots as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-0 on Monday night.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) stretches before an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

Jeremy Swayman stops 26 shots to lead the Bruins over the Lightning 4-0

Jeremy Swayman stopped all 26 shots he faced to lead the Boston Bruins to a 4-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Cole Koepke scored twice against his former team.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Victor Hedman scores twice in Tampa Bay’s 6-2 win over Columbus

Victor Hedman scored twice and had three points to lead Tampa Bay to a 6-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Zach Werenski scored both goals for Columbus, which had won four in a row. Elvis Merzlikins finished with 34 saves.

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) and defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) team up to stop a shot by Calgary Flames right wing Matt Coronato (27, center) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Andrei Vasilevskiy makes 27 saves in the Lightning’s 3-0 victory over the Flames

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and the 38th of his career in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3-0 victory over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) gets around Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Kucherov leads the streaking Lightning to a 4-1 victory over Draisaitl and the Oilers

Nikita Kucherov had two assists and the streaking Tampa Bay Lightning beat Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers 4-1. The Lightning posted their sixth consecutive win and improved to 7-0-1 in the past eight games overall.

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is scored against by Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Lightning extend their winning streak to 5 games with a 4-1 win over the Kraken

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 36 saves and the Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak to five games with a 4-1 victory against the Seattle Kraken.

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) celebrates in front of Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (72) after scoring past goaltender Anton Forsberg during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Lightning beat Senators 5-1 to sweep 2-game series in Florida

Brandon Hagel scored the go-ahead goal for the second consecutive game, helping the Tampa Bay Lightning beat Ottawa 5-1 on Thursday night to sweep a two-game set with the Senators.

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) celebrates with the bench after scoring against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Hagel scores go-ahead goal early in 3rd and Lightning snap Senators’ 5-game win streak 4-3

Brandon Hagel scored less than two minutes into the third period to give the Tampa Bay Lightning the lead for good in a 4-3 win that snapped the Ottawa Senators’ five-game winning streak.

New York Islanders' Tony DeAngelo plays during an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

DeAngelo’s overtime goal lifts Islanders to 3-2 win over Lightning

Tony DeAngelo converted on a breakaway 33 seconds into overtime to lift the New York Islanders to their seventh straight win, 3-2 over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save on a deflection by Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Jeannot (10) in front of defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Vasilevskiy stops 28 shots, Hagel scores 2 goals and Tampa Bay blanks Los Angeles 3-0

Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 28 shots, Brandon Hagel scored two goals and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-0. Anthony Cirelli scored his fourth short-handed goal of the season for the Kings.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings with right wing Mitchell Chaffee (41) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Kucherov and Guentzel lead the Lightning past the Red Wings 5-1

Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel each had a goal and two assists, helping the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-1. Darren Raddysh had a goal and an assist as Tampa Bay won for the third time in four games.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) scores past Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) during a shootout in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Jake Guentzel scores only goal of shootout to give Lightning a 4-3 win over Ducks

Jake Guentzel scored the only goal in the shootout and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-3.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) breaks out ahead of Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Brayden Point reaches 600 career points in Lightning’s 4-1 victory over the Bruins

Brayden Point reached 600 career points with a power-play goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 on Thursday night.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) cuts around Carolina Hurricanes left wing Eric Robinson (50) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Brayden Point scores with 52 seconds to play to lift Lightning to 3-2 win over Hurricanes

Brayden Point scored with 52 seconds to play and the Tampa Bay Lightning snapped a four-game skid with a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Brandon Hagel and Nick Paul also scored for Tampa Bay while Darren Raddysh finished with two assists.

Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) celebrates after a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mary Holt)

Jake Evans scores for the career-high 5th consecutive game, surging Canadiens beat Lightning 5-2

Jake Evans scored for the career-high fifth consecutive game and the surging Montreal Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 on Sunday night.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) controls the puck in front of New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Point and Kucherov lead surging Lightning to 6-2 win over reeling Rangers

Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov each had a goal and two assists to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning past the reeling New York Rangers 6-2. Anthony Cirelli and Ryan McDonagh both had a short-handed goal.

Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen, left, scores against Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Panthers use short-handed goals to beat Lightning 4-2 in opener of home-and-home set

A.J. Greer and Eetu Luostarinen scored short-handed goals 42 seconds apart in the second period to help the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Sunday to open a home-and-home series.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nick Perbix (48) celebrates his goal against the St. Louis Blues with right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Kucherov has 2 assists as Lightning beat Blues 3-1

Nikita Kucherov had a pair of assists to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-1 victory against the St. Louis Blues. Anthony Cirelli, Gage Goncalves and Nick Perbix scored for the Lightning, who have won six of their last seven.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nick Perbix (48) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Sharks withn defenseman Emil Lilleberg (78) and center Brayden Point (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Hagel scores 2, Point has 4 assists in Lightning’s 8-1 win over Sharks

Brayden Point had four assists and Brandon Hagel scored twice to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to an 8-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks. Jake Guentzel, Conor Geekie and Cam Atkinson each scored a goal and assist.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) gets ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) and center Anthony Cirelli (71) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Auston Matthews picks up assist in his return to the lineup as Maple Leafs top Lightning 5-3

Auston Matthews picked up an assist in his return to the lineup and Joseph Woll stopped 38 shots as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. Chris Tanev had a goal and an assist and Mitch Marner added two assists.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) gets ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) and center Anthony Cirelli (71) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Maple Leafs’ captain Auston Matthews returns after missing 9 games

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews returned to the lineup Saturday night after missing nine games due to an upper-body injury.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) and Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tom Wilson’s power-play goal lifts the Capitals over the Lightning 5-4

Tom Wilson scored a power-play goal with 3:26 left in regulation to lift the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) makes a save against Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Hagel ties NHL record with 4 assists in 1st period, Lightning beat Avalanche 8-2

Brandon Hagel tied an NHL record with four assists in the opening period and finished with five as the Tampa Bay Lightning cruised past the Colorado Avalanche 8-2 on Monday.