Dmitry Kulikov, Florida Panthers Defenseman Before Game 2 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov talks on his team’s off-day after they beat the host Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 in Game 1 of their 2025 Stanley Cup playoff series at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

The Panthers lead the best-of-7 series with Game 2 on Thursday.

Florida had Matthew Tkachuk back in the lineup for the first time since Feb. 8; he scored twice.

How Brad Marchand Joined the Florida Panthers: https://floridahockeynow.com/brad-marchand-joins-florida-panthers-how-it-happened-nhl-trade-bruins/

2024 Stanley Cup Champions Honored at the White House: https://floridahockeynow.com/stanley-cup-champion-florida-panthers-honored-at-white-house/

Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning Bringing Hockey Outdoors – In Florida: https://floridahockeynow.com/nhl-outdoor-hockey-miami-tampa-florida-panthers-lightning/

The Florida Panthers Get Their Rings. They’re Spectacular: https://floridahockeynow.com/florida-panthers-get-stanley-cup-championship-rings-theyre-spectacular/

The Florida Panthers Are Stanley Cup Champions: https://floridahockeynow.com/can-you-believe-it-florida-panthers-are-stanley-cup-champs/

For the most in-depth coverage of the Florida Panthers:
— Visit Florida Hockey Now — https://floridahockeynow.com

— Subscribe to Florida Hockey Now: https://floridahockeynow.com/membership-account/subscribe-to-fhn/

— Like Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flahockeynow/

Florida led 2-1 going into the second on goals from Sam bennett and Sam Reinhart; the Panthers scored three straight goals (one from Nate Schmidt, two from Tkachuk) in the second to open things up.

Schmidt got the final goal of the night in the third.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 20 saves.

— On Bluesky:

* https://bsky.app/profile/georgerichards.bsky.social

—Follow us on Twitter: 

* https://twitter.com/GeorgeRichards

* https://twitter.com/thegovman

Video Courtesy Florida Panthers // Panthers Vision