When will the Panthers and Lightning start the playoffs?

We have known the Panthers and Lightning would square off in the playoffs for over a week now.

On Monday night, Florida clinched second place in the Central Division meaning home ice as it plays Tampa Bay in the postseason for the first time.

Yet by Wednesday afternoon, we still don’t know when the series will start.

While the NHL has not made anything official yet, Florida Hockey Now is hearing that Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs will be Sunday with Game 2 on Tuesday night.

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Although NBC has two national time slots on Sunday afternoon (noon and 3 p.m.), Game 1 of the Panthers-Lightning is expected to be on NBCSN at 7:30.

As long as the Panthers are not on the NBC over-the-air national broadcast, Bally Sports Florida/Sun would broadcast the game locally meaning Steve Goldstein, Randy Moller & Co. would have the call at least for the first couple of games.

Hopefully we will see the full schedule in the coming hours.

Or days.

What’s the rush?

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