But this time there's a twist. In 2021 and 2022, the Lightning were the defending Stanley Cup champion; this time the Panthers are. Each time the two teams have faced each other, the winner of the series has gone on to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

The first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Tuesday night with four games. Here are some key takeaways from Tuesday's action. Panthers played like champions in 2025 playoff debutThe Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning finally opened their first-round series on Tuesday night.

The Lightning and Panthers square off in the Stanley Cup Playoffs again. Who will take this edition of the Battle of Florida?