Florida Panthers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk Under Fire After Questionable Hit

Tensions have started to boil over in the opening round playoff series between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. After the Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the series, the Lightning stormed back for a big 5-1 victory, but not before some fireworks.

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The Quiz of the Day

Florida Panthers Confirm Aleksander Barkov's Status Ahead Of Game 3 of Battle of Florida

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice shared a crucial update on Aleksander Barkov in a press conference ahead of the third game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Florida Panthers News / Little Box Cats / April 26

Game Three Gameday: Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay

Nate Schmidt’s goal 4:15 into the first period was all Sergei Bobrovsky needed to backstop the Florida Panthers to a tense 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 2 at Amalie Arena.

Leon Draisaitl News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Goal leaders from each NHL season since 1990' quiz

How many of the yearly leaders in NHL goals since the 1990-91 season can you name in five minutes?

The '60+ goals in an NHL season' quiz

The 'NHL players with multiple Hart Trophies' quiz

The 'NHL active points leaders' quiz

Nate Schmidt News / Field Level Media / April 26

Nate Schmidt, Panthers look to keep Lightning in check

The Florida Panthers are on fire -- and the same thing can be said for defenseman Nate Schmidt. Florida, the reigning Stanley Cup champion, is off to a dream start to the playoffs, winning both of its road games against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Aaron Ekblad News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 25

Aaron Ekblad’s message before return from suspension will fire Panthers fans up

The Florida Panthers will be looking to take a 3-0 stranglehold on their series with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, and they will be getting a huge piece of their lineup back.

Florida Panthers News / Field Level Media / April 25

Panthers' Aleksander Barkov questionable for Game 3 vs. Lightning

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov's availability is in question for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday in Sunrise, Fla.

Florida Panthers News / House of Hockey / April 25

Leaked Footage Shows Tkachuk and Bennett Sending Lightning Players a Clear Warning for Hit on Barkov

The Florida Panthers were furious after Brandon Hagel took out Aleksander Barkov, and now, footage has shown his star teammates sending Tampa a strong message.

Florida Panthers News / Daily Faceoff / April 25

Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad to return to lineup in Game 3 after serving 20-game suspension

Aaron Ekblad is back in action. Having served his 20-game suspension for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program,

Nate Schmidt News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 25

Panthers’ Nate Schmidt joins exclusive Nicklas Lidstrom-led club in Game 2 win

Nate Schmidt signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Florida Panthers in free agency last summer — and he’s been worth every penny and then some so far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL News / Yardbarker / April 25

Knee-jerk reactions to first week of NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs

As we move into Games 3 and 4, let's take a look at some knee-jerk reactions to the first week of the NHL playoffs.

Stanley Cup playoffs takeaways: Maple Leafs in control; Hagel should be suspended

Lightning look to turn page, even series vs. Panthers

Power play looms large as Oilers-Kings series shifts to Edmonton

Which players have the most points in NHL postseason history?

The 'Stanley Cup-winning Edmonton Oilers' quiz

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / April 25

Lightning’s Brandon Hagel to have hearing for hit on Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov

Some extra punishment looks to be in order of a recent act in the Battle of Florida. On Friday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel will have a hearing for his hit on Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov.

Sam Bennett News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 25

Panthers’ Sam Bennett doesn’t hold back on ‘hate’ for Lightning after Game 2

The Battle of Florida certainly doesn’t need any more fuel — but the fire got even bigger after Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel knocked Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov out of Game 2 with a massive hit.

NHL News / Inside The Rink / April 25

3 Takeaways from the Florida Panthers & Tampa Bay Lightning Game 2 | 04/24/2025

Tempers flared and boiled over in Game 2 at Amalie Arena. The Panthers took a strong 2-0 series lead on the back of stellar defense that suffocated the Lightning’s offense.

Vladislav Lukashevich News / The Hockey Writers / April 25

Miami Lands Florida Panthers Draft Pick Vladislav Lukashevich Out of Transfer Portal

Miami University head coach Anthony Noreen continues to impress in this year’s transfer portal cycle, this time landing standout defenseman Vladislav Lukashevich from Michigan State.

Florida Panthers News / Little Box Cats / April 25

Panthers grind out 2-0 Game 2 win over Lightning

Nate Schmidt’s third goal of the series and a 19-save effort from Sergei Bobrovsky carried the Florida Panthers to a gritty 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay LIghtning at Amalie Arena.

NHL News / Breakaway on SI / April 25

Tensions Rising Between Panthers and Lightning

The first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs has been full of rivalries and rising tensions between teams, and the series between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning is no different.

Aleksander Barkov News / Athlon Sports / April 25

Panthers Coach's One-Word Response to Aleksander Barkov Question

The Florida Panthers secured their second straight road win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night, posting a 2-0 victory in Game 2 of their opening-round playoff series.

Brad Marchand News / Athlon Sports / April 25

Brad Marchand Takes Notice of Matthew Tkachuck's Behavior

Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand has played exactly 1,100 regular-season games, but for the most part, he did so decked in the Boston Bruins jersey.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / April 25

Panthers Out Muscle Lightning to Go Up 2-0 in Series

The Florida Panthers outlasted the Tampa Bay Lightning in a physical bout to win 2-0 and go up 2-0 in the series. They took both games in the Lightning’s barn with a chance to take a commanding lead on home ice.

Florida Panthers News / Field Level Media / April 24

Nate Schmidt, Sergei Bobrovsky stake Panthers to 2-0 series lead over Lightning

Nate Schmidt's early goal held up as the winner and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky posted the shutout as the visiting Florida Panthers claimed a 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Nate Schmidt News / Daily Faceoff / April 24

Panthers’ Nate Schmidt ties record for most goals by defenseman after two playoff games

Florida Panthers’ defenseman Nate Schmidt became the sixth defenseman in NHL history to score three goals through the first two games of the playoffs, after the blueliner scored in Game 2 of the Panthers’ first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

NHL News / Last Word On Sports / April 24

NHL Predictions: April 24 Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out.

Florida Panthers News / The Hockey Writers / April 23