Home teams have dominated the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs with a 19-8 record so far, setting the stage for an exciting Game 4 of the Battle of Florida. The Tampa Bay Lightning, after losing forward Brandon Hagel to suspension due to a major penalty, will look to bounce back against the Florida Panthers, who lead the series 2-1. Matthew Tkachuk's impressive performance for the Panthers has been crucial, while Jake Guentzel's stellar play continues to shine for the Lightning, evidenced by his three points in Game 3. In the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are locked in a fierce battle, tied 2-2. Nathan MacKinnon, with 52 career playoff goals, is on the verge of breaking into the franchise's all-time top three. Game 5 promises to be pivotal for both series as teams strive for momentum heading into the crucial later stages of the playoffs.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety decided not to impose supplemental discipline on Matthew Tkachuk following his hit on Jake Guentzel during Game 3 of the Panthers-Lightning series. Tkachuk was already assessed a five-minute major penalty, and the incident was deemed less severe compared to Brandon Hagel's hit on Aleksander Barkov, which led to a one-game suspension. This decision has stirred some controversy, as both coaches exchanged barbs regarding hitting protocols.

Tkachuk, who leads the Panthers with three goals and an assist, is a pivotal player in this intense rivalry, as both teams have featured in the Stanley Cup Final over the past five seasons. With Game 4 on the horizon, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be another heated encounter.

The fallout from Matthew Tkachuk's hit on Jake Guentzel in Game 3 of the Panthers vs. Lightning series continues to stir debate. Tampa Bay coach John Cooper's retort to Paul Maurice's comments during postgame adds fuel to the fire, while analysts on 'NHL on TNT' weigh in on potential disciplinary actions. Tkachuk's late hit, resulting in a five-minute major, came just before a critical empty-net goal, drawing parallels to Brandon Hagel's suspension for a late hit on Aleksander Barkov in the previous game. Anson Carter suggests the distinction in puck control makes a suspension unlikely, while Paul Bissonnette hints otherwise, focusing on the timing and intent of Tkachuk’s hit.

The Tampa Bay Lightning secured a crucial win against the Florida Panthers with a commanding 5-1 victory in Game 3, narrowing the series deficit to 2-1. The game turned even more controversial late in the third period when Matthew Tkachuk of the Panthers delivered a questionable open-ice hit on Lightning's Jake Guentzel, resulting in a major penalty for interference.

As the incident unfolded, Guentzel had just passed the puck to Anthony Cirelli, who then scored into an empty net. Post-game comments from both teams highlighted the growing tensions, with Lightning coach Jon Cooper emphasizing that they only target players with the puck, echoing sentiments from Panthers coach Paul Maurice after a similar hit earlier in the series.