The Panthers concluded a successful season by locking up the No. 2 seed in the Central Division, giving them home-ice against the in-state rival Lightning in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Lightning and Panthers have never met in the playoffs. Due to the Lightning being the reigning champs, and the Panthers success this season, the team's intense competition has blossomed into a heated Florida rivalry, quickly becoming the hottest place in hockey -- literally.