SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 28: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) celebrates a second goal of the second period for Tamps during the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers on Monday, April 28, 2025 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL (
Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Brandon Hagel left game after hit by Aaron Ekblad
  • Lightning score twice in 11 seconds to take 2-1 lead
  • Read below for more on the Battle of Florida

The Battle of Florida might be one of the best rivalries in hockey right now. This year is the fourth playoff series between the Lightning and Panthers since 2021 and the intensity has ratcheted up in each one.

They’ve combined to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final in each of the last five years, and the winner of this series has a good chance of doing that again.

The bad blood got started this year with Brandon Hagel’s big hit on Aleksander Barkov. Hagel was suspended for Game 3 for his actions, and Matthew Tkachuk answered back with a late hit of his own on Jake Guentzel in that contest.

Hagel was the recipient of a high hit from Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad midway through the second period of Game 4 on Monday night.

Ekblad came up high with his elbow, but there was no call on the play.

Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper was not happy with the non-call.

The Lightning didn’t get a power play out of the hit, but they found the back of the net anyway.

First, it was Mitchell Chafee to tie the game, and then defenseman Erik Cernak found twine from distance for the lead.

Cooper was fired up on the bench.

This series has been as advertised so far, and it should only continue with Game 5 set for Wednesday night back in Tampa Bay.