Matthew Tkachuk returned to action for the Florida Panthers after two months out, scoring twice in a commanding 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs. His two goals, both coming on power plays, highlighted a strong performance for the Panthers, who capitalized on Tampa's defensive lapses. Despite the win, Coach Paul Maurice urged caution, stressing that momentum shifts can occur quickly in a playoff series.

The game saw contributions from Sam Bennett, who netted the first goal, and Nate Schmidt, whose two goals gave the Panthers a significant lead. The Lightning, despite their high-scoring reputation, struggled to keep pace as the Panthers exploited their defensive weaknesses.