The highly anticipated Round 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs is set to kick off with a thrilling in-state matchup between the Lightning and Panthers.
The Lightning and Panthers had stellar regular seasons. Tampa Bay finished with 98 points, and Florida finished second in the President's Trophy race behind the New York Rangers with 110 points and a dominant 52-24 record.
The Panthers have yet to win the Stanley Cup despite making it to the Final twice, while the Lightning have won three titles in 20 years, including back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.
Will the youthful Panthers solve the Tampa Bay offensive attack, or will the Lightning cruise to a second-round matchup with relative ease?
Here is all you need to know entering the series.
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Lightning vs. Panthers schedule, scores, results
With the Panthers winning the Atlantic Division and the Lightning qualifying as one of the two Eastern Conference wildcard teams, the Panthers earn home-ice advantage in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 (if necessary), while the Lightning will host for Game 3, 4, and 6 (if necessary).
| Date | Game | Result |
| April 21 | Game 1 | Panthers 3, Lightning 2 |
| April 23 | Game 2 | Panthers 3, Lightning 2 (OT) |
| April 25 | Game 3 | Panthers 5, Lightning 3 |
| April 27 | Game 4 | Lightning 6, Panthers 3 |
| April 29 | Game 5 | Panthers 6, Lightning 1 |
Where to watch Lightning vs. Panthers
The Lightning-Panthers first-round series will air on ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery networks. ESPN games can be streamed via Fubo, which offers a free trial so you can try before you buy. Games on TNT, TBS and truTV can be streamed on Sling.
If Lightning vs. Panthers is not available to watch live in your location or if you're traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs provide a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.
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Lightning vs. Panthers playoff series tickets 2024
- Tickets: StubHub
Get tickets to Lightning-Panthers and every NHL playoff series on StubHub. Click the link below to browse available tickets and prices.
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NHL playoffs bracket 2024