But this time there's a twist. In 2021 and 2022, the Lightning were the defending Stanley Cup champion; this time the Panthers are. Each time the two teams have faced each other, the winner of the series has gone on to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

A Panthers win gives Florida a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 series, needing just one win over the final three games to advance to the second round. A Lightning win levels the series at two wins apiece before the series shifts back to Tampa.