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Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers scores the game-winning goal on Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins during overtime in Game 5 of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Panthers Starting the Playoffs on the Road Isn’t the Worst Thing

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Joey Ganzi | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 3:50 PM ET

The Florida Panthers have concluded their 2024-25 regular season with a 47-31-4 record and 98 points. They finished third in the Atlantic Division, meaning their first opponent in their quest to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions will be the Tampa Bay Lightning. That series will start Tuesday, April 22. This will be their fourth-ever meeting in the playoffs, with their previous meeting going to Florida by a series score of 4-1 last postseason.

It will also be the third time in franchise history the team has had to start their journey to the Stanley Cup on the road since two seasons ago, when they made it to the Stanley Cup Final but dropped it to the Vegas Golden Knights. However, that might not be the most alarming thing about their run. The Panthers have actually been quite successful on the road this season and in the playoffs over the last two years.

Panthers Finished This Season With Great Road Special Teams Numbers

On the road, the team was extremely dangerous on the power play and penalty kill this season. Their road power play was tied with the Utah Hockey Club for second in the NHL with a 28.2% conversion rate. On the kill, they were the best in the league with an 84% kill rate.

Overall, their power play was 12th in the NHL with a 23.5% conversion rate, and their penalty kill was 10th in the league with an 80.7% kill rate.

Panthers Have Had a Better Road Playoff Record Over the Last Two Seasons

Over the last two playoffs, the team has managed to win 15 games on the road. This includes multiple series-clinching games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins. Furthermore, this also includes their longest playoff game in franchise history in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The franchise has an all-time playoff road record of 25-29, with 17 of their road wins coming over the course of the last three seasons.

Panthers Have Taken Down Tampa Bay a Lot Recently on the Road

The Panthers have managed to give Tampa Bay trouble at Amalie Arena recently. The Cats have won five of their last seven trips to Hillsborough County, including the playoffs. They have outscored the Lightning 29 to 21 in that span.

All time, the Panthers have a 29-32-5-8 record at Amalie Arena, along with a 4-2-1 record at Tampa’s original home, the ThunderDome, in St. Petersburg.

Panthers Have to Do it Again

Despite their success in Tampa, the Lightning are still not a foe to take lightly, especially considering how draining the “battle of Florida” has become. Their strong offense, highlighted by stars such as Art Ross Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov, defenseman Victor Hedman, and forward Brayden Point, will look to bring the Cup back to Tampa for the first time since their back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021. Additionally, revenge is likely on their minds after the way they went down last postseason.

The Panthers have to play the games they are given. If they want to repeat as champions, they have to go through another gauntlet, especially if it means starting the playoffs on the road against their in-state rival. However, they are likely to be 100% by Game 3 of Round 1. If they can hang on for Games 1 and 2, they have a chance at repeating last year’s work.