Panthers, Stars Extended Leads in NHL Playoffs

The Florida Panthers staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 in Game 4, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead in their first-round NHL playoff matchup. Key goals from Aaron Ekblad and Seth Jones, scored just 11 seconds apart in the final minutes, turned a late deficit into victory, while a controversial high hit by Ekblad on Tampa's Brandon Hagel went unpenalized, adding tension to the series. Tampa Bay had earlier seized the lead with rapid goals from Mitchell Chaffee and Erik Cernak, but the Panthers' resilience set them up to potentially clinch the series in Game 5. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars dominated the Colorado Avalanche with a 6-2 win in Game 5, highlighted by Wyatt Johnston’s two goals, including the fastest playoff goal in franchise history. Dallas now leads their series 3-2 and will look to advance in the next game. Both teams are now one win away from reaching the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.