SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 26: Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) is escorted to the team bench in the first period during the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL.
(Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Matthew Tkachuk given five-minute major for interference
  • Jake Guentzel has 3-point game in win
  • Read below for more on the hit

Things are heating up in the Battle of Florida.

The Florida Panthers held a 2-0 series lead as they returned home, but the Tampa Bay Lightning put up a five-spot en route to a 5-1 win in Game 3 for their first victory of the series.

We’ve already seen some supplementary discipline in this series. Brandon Hagel received a one-game suspension for his late hit on Aleksander Barkov. And now Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk could have a hearing in his future for his late hit on Jake Guentzel.

Guentzel passed the puck up to Anthony Cirelli for the empty-net goal, but Tkachuk must’ve thought he admired his play a bit too long. A second after the puck was gone, Tkachuk laid Guentzel out with a big hit.

The penalty was reviewed, as all five-minute majors are, but it was upheld even after video review.

Guentzel’s face hit the ice, and he was pulled from the game a few minutes later. His status could be up in the air for Game 4.

Niko Mikkola tried to go after Nikita Kucherov on the ensuing faceoff with Cirelli stepping in for the Lightning superstar. Both Cirelli and Mikkola were sent to the locker room early for their actions.

Things had been ratcheting up throughout the game, with both sides going at it late in the second period.

Despite the teams combining for nine power plays, neither team scored on the man advantage in this one.

Tkachuk scored the Panthers’ lone goal in Game 3 as the Cats opened the scoring on home ice, but the Lightning put up five unanswered for a much-needed victory on the road.

Game 4 is set for Monday night in Sunrise at 7:00 p.m. EDT, and it’s sure to be appointment viewing based on how this series is unfolding.