Panthers dominate Lightning 6-2 in Game 1, Tkachuk returns

Matthew Tkachuk made a triumphant return to the Florida Panthers lineup after missing over two months due to a lower-body injury, leading his team to a dominant 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of their Stanley Cup playoff series. Tkachuk scored two power-play goals in the second period and added an assist, providing a physical and emotional boost for the Panthers. The Panthers capitalized on their power plays, going 3-for-3, while Nate Schmidt also contributed two goals, and both Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett added a goal and an assist each. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 20 saves to help stifle the Lightning's offense. For the Lightning, Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point scored, but they couldn't overcome Florida's offensive surge, and their goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy struggled, allowing six goals on 16 shots. The win gives the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series as they aim to defend their Stanley Cup title.