What happens if Lightning lose, win or tie vs Panthers tonight? Tampa Bay hosts Florida in high-stakes Game 5

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers will face off in a new edition of the Battle of Florida in the NHL, as the Sunshine State Showdown takes over the spotlight in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Amid a heated playoff series with its fair share of controversies, fines, and suspensions, the Lightning will need to turn Amalie Arena into a fortress in Game 5.

The Lightning secured home-ice advantage for the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Panthers. However, it has been counterproductive so far, as they dropped Games 1 and 2 to the visiting Cats.

As the series shifts back to the Big Guava, the Lightning find themselves with their backs against the wall—and a menacing Panthers pack standing in front, ready to pounce. This series carries major weight for both Florida and Tampa Bay, as they’ve faced off three times in the past, and the winner has gone on to reach the Stanley Cup Final each time.

What happens if the Lightning lose to the Panthers in Game 5?

If Tampa Bay falls to Florida in Game 5 at Amalie Arena, the Lightning will be eliminated from the NHL postseason. It would be a harsh cold-water wake-up call for the Bolts. After making three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2020, 2021, and 2022, this would mark their third consecutive first-round exit.

Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after a win over the Florida Panthers after Game Four of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida.

What happens if the Lightning win against the Panthers?

If the Bolts defeat the Cats in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round, they’ll force a Game 6 back in South Florida. The Lightning would avoid elimination and live to fight another day. However, they currently trail 3–1 in the series and will need three straight wins to get past their archrival from Sunrise.

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What happens if the Lightning and Panthers tie?

If Game 5 between Florida and Tampa Bay is tied after regulation, it will head to a 20-minute sudden-death overtime. Unlike the NHL regular season, playoff overtime is played 5-on-5, and there is no shootout if the game remains tied. Instead, 20-minute overtime periods continue until one team scores.

The Panthers–Lightning series is the only matchup in the Eastern Conference that has yet to feature an overtime period.