Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick & Prediction APRIL 30th 2025

Preview and Prediction

In a span of two and five minutes, the Tampa Bay Lightning saw their chances of advancing in the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Florida Panthers greatly decrease.

Trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven series against their in-state rivals, the Lightning will have to win Game 5 on Wednesday night in order to stay in the competition.

After taking a 2-1 lead on the scoreboard and aiming to replicate the Panthers' success in Tampa by sweeping both away games, coach Jon Cooper's team needed to hold on for the final 3:47 to bring the series back to their home ice with a tied score of 2-2, potentially leading to a Game 7.

However, in just 2:07, the Panthers' Aaron Ekblad scored to tie the game after a defensive breakdown, followed by a go-ahead goal from Seth Jones just 11 seconds later. Carter Verhaeghe then sealed the deal with an empty-net goal, giving the Panthers their first home win of the series.

"Both teams had two short periods of 11 seconds that were very rewarding," said Cooper, referring to the goals scored by Mitchell Chaffee and Eric Cernak in the second period. "Unfortunately, theirs came at the end with very little time left."

Both teams set franchise records for the fastest two goals scored in their playoff histories.

"For 115 minutes, we passed every test possible," Cooper stated. "And we just had a tough 11 seconds at the end of the game. ... We played well enough to win both games."

The game took a turn when the Lightning were given a five-minute major power play after the Panthers' Niko Mikkola was ejected for boarding Zemgus Girgensons just 19 seconds into the third period.

The Panthers' defense held strong during this crucial moment, allowing only one shot on goal from the Lightning's power-play unit, which ranked fifth overall in the regular season with a 25.9 percent efficiency.

Through four games, the Lightning have only scored one goal on the power play, while the Panthers have won three out of four games in the series.

"The one thing you can see in the locker room with this group is the level of calmness throughout the game," said Panthers winger Brad Marchand, who assisted on Anton Lundell's goal in the first period. "Belief is a dangerous thing, and we had that. ... We know Tampa is going to give it their all in the next game, and we have to be ready."

In the second period, Ekblad delivered a hard forearm to the head of Lightning forward Brandon Hagel. Hagel left the game for concussion protocol and did not return. Ekblad, who was not penalized for the hit, received a two-game suspension from the NHL Department of Player Safety on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Cooper gave an update on Hagel's status for Game 5, saying, "He will not be playing tomorrow, and you know why."

In his second game back from a 20-game PED suspension, Ekblad scored a goal that was later overturned due to an offside challenge from Cooper and his team. He then scored the tying goal late in the game off a rebound.

However, it was Ekblad's hit on Hagel that left Cooper fuming after the game.

"It's getting tiring to answer questions about hits every single game, so I'll ask you," Cooper responded to a reporter. "You asked me the question. Why did you ask me the question? Do you have anything to say about it? If anyone in here has something to say, let me know. Alright, let's move on."

PREDICTION

Florida Panthers

3

2

Tampa Bay Lightning

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Recap MAY 23TH 2022