The first 13 games of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are in the books -- thanks for finally joining the party, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning-- so each team has had a chance to show the new postseason version of itself.

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.

The Panthers out-hit the Lightning by a 48-28 count. They particularly made their presence felt in the first period when they were credited with 19 hits to only nine for the Lightning. If Jon Cooper is concerned about what the Panthers did to his team physically, he’s not letting on.