The main thing was just being back with the guys and being able to compete with them,” said Tkachuk, who had been out since February with a lower-body injury. “It’s been a long two months, some good days,

The Florida Panthers vs the Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s the fourth time in the past five years the in-state rivals are facing off in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Game 1 of the best-of-7 series begins at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Tampa’s Amalie Arena. It will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and locally on Scripps Sports.