Tkachuk scored his third goal of the series to make it 1-0 at 2:43 of the first period. After the Lightning turned over the puck in their own zone, Sam Bennett missed on his shot attempt, but the puck went across the crease to Tkachuk, who swept it in.

A Lightning power play was negated after the second-period horn when Anthony Cirelli was called for roughing. But Tampa Bay opened the third by scoring in the final seconds of 4-on-4 play (before Florida went on the power play) on Jake Guentzel’s third goal of the series just 21 seconds into the third period.

Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) is taken down by Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) and center Conor Geekie (14) during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) AP