For the second straight year, the Florida Panthers will begin their postseason by locking horns with arch-rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the power dynamics shifting to Miami over the last couple of years, the upcoming Battle of Florida will be one for the ages. While many hockey experts still seem to believe that the Bolts will come out on top again, Florida Panthers fans refuse to give in to the speculations.

While the Lightning had a mediocre regular season till February, things have changed dramatically since. On the other hand, the Cats have posted a rather flimsy 7-10-1 record since March 8, ultimately finishing in third spot of the Atlantic Division, just below their in-state rivals. Naturally, seeing that the momentum is with Tampa Bay, many believe that the Bolts’ chances of winning their fourth Stanley Cup are high. Others, passionately, still hold on to the thought that the defending champs, the Florida Panthers, will take the first-round series.

The Florida Panthers won’t cede ground so easily

The Panthers’ playoff schedule was released only hours ago. And it already looks like a gift from the hockey gods. For the fourth time in the last five years, Florida and Tampa Bay will cross paths in the postseason. Unsurprisingly, the hockey community of the Sunshine State is divided once again. With many NHL stalwarts having placed their eggs in the Bolts’ basket, the Florida fans aren’t sold entirely. To underscore the passion, Bryan hopped onto X on April 18 to note their belief that all the naysayers are doing was igniting the fire in the Panthers’ locker room.

“I hope the panthers are watching all of the media “pundits” say Florida is too beaten up to hang with Tampa. It seems like media and fan perception is Tampas got this in the bag,” the social media post hangs its head, amazed at how easily the “experts” seem to think that Tampa Bay will trample over the 2024 Stanley Cup winners. “This is NOT the team you want coming in looking to prove a point, if you are an opponent,” Bryan goes on to sound a subtle warning to the Florida Panthers’ upcoming foes.

Granted, injuries have been a constant issue for Paul Maurice’s boys this season. On top of that, suspensions to key defensive players have also caused a massive headache to the team by leaving gaping holes in the blue line. And yet, others have stepped up to pull the extra weight with determination. All things considered, fans justifiably believe discounting the Florida Panthers right now shouldn’t be the ideal call.

Panthers fan hold on to hope with blnd faith

From star forward Matthew Tkachuk to defensive pillar Aaron Ekblad, the Florida Panthers have had to take to the ice without some of their best players for various reasons this season. But with the playoffs approaching, Maurice & Co. hope to have a full roster before next Tuesday. On top of that, ex-Boston frontman Brad Marchand has also noted that the Panthers’ style of aggressive play is something that suits him well. Naturally, fans believe that with a full squad, the Tampa Bay Lightning will have to run for its money’s worth come Game 1 next week. Reminding that, one fan commented, “Do the pundits suddenly forget that everyone will be back.”

“It’s fine I’m glad they are all going with Tampa gives the boys something to feed on,” another fan seemed rather comforted knowing that players like Tkachuk and Marchand thrive under pressure.

Matthew has been out of action since February, after incurring an injury on his right shoulder at the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off. But just before he was sidelined, Brady Tkachuk’s sibling showed his mettle by being part of the now-infamous fisticuffs that broke out during the USA vs Canada match at the international tourney. Knowing that, one fan posted that the Florida Panthers captain will certainly get his teammates’ juices flowing ahead of the playoffs. “tkachuk giving a “where is your rage” talk game 1 and we sweep the series LOCK IT IN,” the fan’s comment reads.

Another fan chuckled, thinking of something similar to the scenes from February’s Centre Bell unfolding at Amalie Arena next week: “Imagine giving this team a chip on their shoulder.”

“The problem is no one has seen them all together with Marchand, Tkachuk, Sturm and playing at a level and scoring,” reminds yet another Florida fan. Do you think these speculations hold any truth? Or is everything wishful thinking? Tell us your predictions for the Round 1 match-up between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning in a comment!