Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) chat while in the tunnel just prior to taking on the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the first round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Tampa. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers ended with a victory for the road team at AMALIE Arena. Despite the Lightning overcoming an early one-goal deficit, Florida scored four straight goals—including three in the second period—to take a 6-2 win.