Tampa Bay Lightning

The Panthers retake the lead with less than a minute to play in the first period after Sam Reinhart tips in a goal vs. the Lightning.

Jake Guentzel nets a power-play goal to tie the game 1-1 in the first period for the Lightning vs. the Panthers.

Sam Bennett strikes first for the Panthers with an impressive goal in the first period vs. the Lightning.

From the first round all the way through the Stanley Cup Final, ESPN has you covered this NHL postseason.

Sidelined since sustaining a groin injury Feb. 15 while playing for the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off, Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk returned for Tuesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Round 1 series vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Every playoff team's odds to win the 2025 Stanley Cup and favorites for the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP

The postseason continues with three Game 2s, along with Game 1 of Panthers-Lightning.

Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk, who hasn't played for the Panthers since Feb. 8 and hasn't played any games since the 4 Nations Face-Off two months ago, will skate Tuesday morning to gauge his availability for Game 1 later that night vs. the Lightning.

With the NHL postseason underway, here are the players projected to have the biggest impact.

Two series begin, while it's Game 2 for Blues-Jets and Stars-Avs. Here are the key storylines in each.