Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway and the second round matchups are coming into focus. We don’t have a start date for the next round, but it will likely be around May 4 or 5, depending on if any of the first round series go seven games.

Maurice added he was “impressed” by what Lightning players said to him during the handshake line, complimenting Tampa Bay’s veteran players, many of whom were part of its back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. The Panthers won the Stanley Cup last season and are in the middle of trying to defend their championship.

Dallas Stars center Sam Steel (18) drives past Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski (70) to put a shot on goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (39) in the second period of Game 6 of an NHL first-round hockey playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) AP