The Florida Panthers, having clinched the Atlantic Division title and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, are set to face the top Wild Card team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the first round of the 2024 postseason, with the series beginning on April 21.
The Florida Panthers? They’re gearing up for a serious Stanley Cup chase as the 2024 postseason looms. It’s been a rollercoaster month for them. Yet, they closed out the regular season on a high, stringing together four straight wins. This last-minute surge? It nudged them past the Boston Bruins, clinching the Atlantic Division title. Plus, they snagged the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Pretty slick, huh?
Now, the Tampa Bay Lightning. They’ve kinda lost that elite sparkle recently. But, let’s not count them out. They’re still a powerhouse, especially with Nikita Kucherov leading the charge. The guy topped the NHL with 144 points this season. So, yeah, they’re the top Wild Card team in the East. Ended their season on a high note, too.
So, what’s next? The Sunshine State showdown. It’s the Florida Panthers squaring off against the Tampa Bay Lightning. And it all kicks off Sunday, April 21.
Here’s the lowdown on the games:
– Game 1 is happening Sunday, April 21, at 12:30 p.m., over at the Panthers’ den. Catch it on ESPN.
– Game 2? That’s on Tuesday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m., still in Panther territory. ESPN2’s got you covered.
– For Game 3, we’re switching to the Lightning’s turf on Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. TBS is broadcasting this one.
– Game 4 keeps us in Tampa Bay, Saturday, April 27, at 5 p.m. Tune into TBS for this clash.
– If needed, Game 5 will swing back to the Panthers on Monday, April 29. Time and TV? Still up in the air.
– Game 6, if we get there, heads back to Tampa on Wednesday, May 1. Details to be confirmed.
– And if it all comes down to a Game 7, it’s Saturday, May 4, back with the Panthers. TV details are TBD.
Buckle up. This series is gonna be one to watch.
