2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers

Can we just push this back a few weeks?

It seems like an absolute shame that this series – the fourth edition of the Battle of Florida in five seasons – comes in the first round. These two teams are absolutely Cup contenders, and whoever gets out of it will instantly shoot towards the top of the league in terms of their probability of winning the championship. The only reason they aren't more favoured right now is that they have to play eachother. 

In every edition of this postseason rivalry so far, the winner has won the Eastern Conference. Twice out of three times, the winner has won the Stanley Cup. One of these teams has represented the East in the Cup Final in each of the last five seasons. These teams are the real deal, and they are operating pretty close to full power at the moment.

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