FHN Today/NHL Links
FHN Today: Tkachuk Returns, Florida Panthers Root on the Heat
FORT LAUDERDALE — For the first time in months, the Florida Panthers had full attendance at practice on Saturday morning.
“Better late than never,’’ Paul Maurice said.
That included one Matthew Tkachuk.
The Panthers still have a few more days before they open their playoff series with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night, so, Tkachuk could be back when they do.
As for the Miami Heat, the playoffs start tonight in Cleveland at 7 (Sun/TNT).
Of course, the Heat have been in playoff mode already this week having to win two play-in games to become the NBA’s first No. 10 seed to advance.
Miami has a hard road ahead going against the top-seeded Cavaliers.
Back in 2023, both the Panthers and Heat came into the playoffs as No. 8 seeds and knocked off No. 1 in the first round — Miami beat the Milwaukee Bucks, Florida the Boston Bruins.
We all know how that playoff run ended: The Panthers lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Vegas Golden Knights, Miami lost in the NBA Finals to the Denver Nuggets.
Sasha Barkov, the Panthers biggest Heat fan, would like to see both of his teams make another long run.
“It was fun seeing the Heat make it as the 10-seed,” Barkov said. “Anything can happen in the playoffs. We know how good Cleveland is, but, anything can happen.”
Maurice said having both the Heat and Panthers being in the playoffs is good for South Florida.
“Pretty exciting,” Maurice said. “There’s a lot of stuff going on and that’s great for the fans.”
FLORIDA PANTHERS / FHN
- Tkachuk was back at practice for the first time since being hurt at the 4 Nations tournament, working on the second line and getting top power-play unit time.
- Seth Jones is back in the playoffs for the first time since the Covid bubble in 2020. That was a long time ago. FHN+
- Aaron Ekblad still has two games left in his suspension which means he’s not back until Game 3.
- Oliver Bjorkstrand is hurt and is out for the Lightning in Round 1.
- Moves the Lightning made to rebuild back into a true contender.
- Winning the Stanley Cup is a moment Barkov will never forget.
- Charles Barkley picks the Lightning. Reluctantly.
- Subscribe to the FHN YouTube channel to hear from the Florida Panthers throughout the postseason. From Saturday: Maurice, Brad Marchand, and Mackie Samoskevich.
NHL NEWS, LINKS
- The Ottawa Senators open up tonight. A look at the history of the Battle of Ontario.
- Anthony Stolarz will get his first playoff start for the Leafs in Game 1 against the Senators.
- Cale Makar and the Avalanche were “ready to go’’ for Game 1 against the Stars.
- Yeah, they were.
- The Jets rally to beat the Blues in Winnipeg to take a 1-0 lead.
- Which teams the disappointed Boston Bruins fan should root for in these playoffs.
- Erik Karlsson is disappointed with how things have gone in his first two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
- The New York Rangers are looking for a new coach after firing Peter Laviolette.
- The Ducks are in the market as well.
2025 NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND: GAME 1
FLORIDA PANTHERS at TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
- When: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m.
- Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa
- Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SWFla)
- National TV: ESPN
- Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
- Radio: WQAM 560-AM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
- Series Schedule — Game 1 at Tampa: Tuesday, 8:30; Game 2 at Tampa: Thursday, 6:30; Game 3 at Florida: Saturday, 1; Game 4 at Florida: Monday, April 28 (TBA); Game 5* at Tampa: Wednesday, April 30 (TBA); Game 6* at Florida: Friday, May 2 (TBA); Game 7* at Tampa: Sunday, May 4 (TBA).
- Season Series (Tied 2-2)
- All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 79-53-19, 10 ties
- All-Time Postgame Series: Tampa Bay Leads 2-1 (won 2021 first-round, 2022 ECS); Florida d. Lightning 4-1 in 2024 first-round.
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