Panthers punch ticket to Round 2 with win over Lightning in Game 5

The defending Stanley Cup champions are heading to Round 2.

May 1, 2025 - 03:41
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Panthers punch ticket to Round 2 with win over Lightning in Game 5

TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Panthers advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a 6-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.

Eetu Luostarinen had a goal and three assists. Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Aleksander Barkov and Sam Bennett all scored for the Panthers as Florida defeated their in-state rival in five games for the second consecutive season. Sergei Bobrovsky finished with 26 saves to help the Panthers reach the second round for the fourth consecutive season.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers will next play the winner of the series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, which Toronto currently leads 3-2.