The Tampa Bay Lightning have officially locked in their first-round opponent for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs—and it’s a familiar face. The Bolts will face off against their cross-state rivals, the Florida Panthers, in a best-of-seven Sunshine State showdown. The Lightning’s 2025 postseason is presented by AdventHealth.
Tampa Bay will open the series on home ice at AMALIE Arena (400 Channelside Dr) with Game 1 set for 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, followed by Game 2 at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24. The action then moves to Sunrise for Game 3 at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, and Game 4 on Monday, April 28 (start time to be announced) at Amerant Bank Arena.
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If necessary, Game 5 will take place back at AMALIE Arena on Wednesday, April 30, with Game 6 in Sunrise on Friday, May 2. Should the series go the distance, Game 7 will be held in Tampa on Sunday, May 4.
Here’s the full schedule:
- Game 1: Tuesday, April 22 at 8:30 p.m. (AMALIE Arena)
- Game 2: Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. (AMALIE Arena)
- Game 3: Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m. (Amerant Bank Arena)
- Game 4: Monday, April 28, time TBD (Amerant Bank Arena)
- Game 5: Wednesday, April 30* (AMALIE Arena)
- Game 6: Friday, May 2* (Amerant Bank Arena)
- Game 7: Sunday, May 4* (AMALIE Arena)
*if necessary
Fans can purchase playoff tickets online at Ticketmaster.com.
Tampa Bay Lightning ready for another Stanley Cup run
This playoff matchup marks yet another heated chapter in Florida’s growing hockey rivalry. Both teams have made deep playoff runs in recent years, with the Lightning winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, and the Panthers reaching the Finals in 2023. Florida has firmly planted itself on the NHL map, and this first-round battle proves the Sunshine State is now a legitimate hockey stronghold.
Adding to the excitement, the Lightning come into the postseason fresh off a dominant win over the Panthers in their final regular-season meeting. Tampa Bay hopes that momentum carries over into the playoffs.
Fans can expect a high-octane, physical series between two teams that know each other well. With the Bolts’ deep playoff experience and home-ice advantage, expectations are sky-high. As always, Bolts Nation is encouraged to wear blue, be loud, and help electrify AMALIE Arena.
For fans watching from home, stay tuned to the Lightning and AMALIE Arena’s social media channels for updates on official watch parties throughout the series. Let the playoff thunder roll—hockey in Tampa is just heating up.
