Florida Panthers come from behind to defeat Lightning and take series lead

On April 27, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida, the Florida Panthers engineered a dramatic comeback against the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game 4 of their playoff series. The Panthers, who were trailing by two goals, saw Aaron Ekblad and Seth Jones score in quick succession within just 11 seconds of each other late in the third period, erasing the deficit. With this victory, the Panthers took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, putting the Lightning on the brink of elimination. The game was marked by physical play and strategic penalties, reflective of the tense rivalry between the two teams. The Panthers struggled offensively at first but regained composure in the later stages of the game. After Anton Lundell scored to make it 1-1, the Lightning briefly responded with goals from Mitchell Chaffee and Erik Cernak, heading into the third period with a 2-1 lead. However, the momentum shifted drastically when Niko Mikkola received a five-minute major penalty early in the third. Despite having a man advantage, the Lightning failed to capitalize effectively, managing only a single shot on goal during a crucial stretch. This power play interference was indicative of the Lightning's struggles throughout the series, where they have consistently encountered difficulties in converting power play opportunities. The physicality of the game was highlighted by Brandon Hagel's injury following a hit from Ekblad, who had just returned from a suspension. This incident exacerbated the tensions, as both teams demonstrated aggressive strategies, aiming to intimidate and disrupt each other's plays. In what was a direct reflection of the series' competitive nature, multiple players on both sides faced penalties, contributing to a choppy, disjointed game. In this tightly contested matchup, the Panthers were able to execute more effectively down the stretch. With an empty-net goal to seal the victory and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopping 18 shots, the Panthers displayed both resilience and tactical prowess. Looking forward, Florida now possesses an opportunity to clinch the series in Game 5, scheduled for April 29, 2025, in Tampa, while the Lightning must regroup and find their game if they hope to turn the series around.