TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Lightning have to get their power play going if they hope to knock off the Florida Panthers in this opening round playoff series. Thus far, the Lightning have suffered a power outage. On Thursday night, the Panthers killed off all five of their penalties and beat the Lightning 2-0 in Game 2 at Amalie Arena. Florida now holds a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, which now turns to the southeast with the next two games in Sunrise.
Captain Sasha Barkov left the game with 10:09 remaining after taking what appeared to be a hit to the jaw from Brandon Hagel. He did not return. The Panthers got off to another hard-hitting start and took a 1-0 lead on a slapper from Nate Schmidt off a faceoff win from Barkov just 4:15 into the game. It was the third goal of the series for Schmidt, who has quickly made his mark in the postseason.
After Schmidt's opening goal, it was all defense and Sergei Bobrovsky for the Panthers, who smothered the Lightning in the offensive zone. Bobrovsky ended the game with 19 saves, helping his team secure the shutout. This performance marked Bobrovsky's fourth career playoff shutout, tying him with Semyon Varlamov for seventh-most by an active goalie.
Schmidt's goal not only gave the Panthers an early advantage but also made him the second Panthers defenseman to score in the team's first two games of a postseason, following Jason Woolley in 1996. Furthermore, Schmidt became the sixth defenseman in NHL history to score three goals through his first two games of a playoff year, a feat last accomplished by Nicklas Lidstrom in 1995.
As the game progressed, the Lightning struggled to find their rhythm, with their power play failing to convert. The Panthers' defense was relentless, blocking shots and maintaining pressure on the Lightning's forwards. The second period saw no goals, but the intensity remained high as both teams battled for control.
In the final moments of the game, Sam Bennett sealed the victory for Florida with an empty-net goal at 19:56 of the third period, making it 2-0. This victory puts the Panthers in a commanding position as they head to Game 3.
Game 3 is set for Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. The Panthers will look to extend their series lead, while the Lightning will aim to regain momentum and avoid falling into a deeper hole.
The series schedule continues with Game 4 on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 7 p.m. in Florida, followed by Game 5 on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Tampa (TBA), and potentially Game 6 on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Florida (TBA). If necessary, Game 7 will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Tampa (TBA).
Throughout the season, the Panthers have shown resilience and depth, finishing with a 47-31-4 record and 98 points, placing them third in the Atlantic Division. Key players like Sam Reinhart, who led the team in goals with 39, and Barkov, who led in assists with 51, have been instrumental in their success.
In his first season with the Panthers, Schmidt recorded five goals and 14 assists for 19 points, averaging 16:32 of ice time across 80 regular-season games. His contributions have been vital, especially in the playoffs, where he has already made a significant impact. Schmidt's blend of patience and explosiveness has made him a formidable presence on the ice. He has demonstrated a strong first stride and has been aggressive in board battles and when attacking puck carriers.
As the Panthers prepare for Game 3, they will look to continue their strong play and leverage the momentum they have built. With Schmidt leading the charge, the Panthers are poised to make a deep playoff run as they defend their Stanley Cup title.
The Lightning, on the other hand, must regroup and find a way to capitalize on their chances. With their power play struggling and key players like Barkov potentially sidelined, they face an uphill battle in this series. Fans will be eager to see how both teams adjust as the series shifts to Sunrise.
