TAMPA, Fla. – The Lightning and Panthers meet in the playoffs for the second straight year. The second-round series gets underway in Sunrise on Tuesday night.
The teams met in the opening round last year, with the Lightning taking the series in six games.
The Lightning have made it to the second round for the sixth time in coach Jon Cooper’s nine full seasons behind the bench. They defeated Toronto in seven games in the opening round.
The Panthers defeated Washington in six games for their first series win since 1996 when, in their third season, they advanced to the Stanley Cup final where they lost to Colorado. That is the only other time in their 28 seasons that the Panthers made it beyond the opening round.
The Lightning went 2-2 against Florida this season, winning once in each venue.
The first four games of the series are on TNT, with broadcast information of potential Games 5-7 to be determined. Note that Games 3-4 are on consecutive days at Amalie.
Game 1: at FLA, Tuesday, May 17, 7 p.m.
Game 2: at FLA, Thursday, May 19, 7 p.m.
Game 3: at TB, Sunday, May 22, 1:30 p.m.
Game 4: at TB, Monday, May 23, 7 p.m.
*Game 5: at FLA, Wednesday, May 25, TBD
*Game 6: at TB, Friday, May 27, TBD
*Game 7: at FLA, Sunday, May 29, TBD
* If necessary
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