The Tampa Bay Lightning enter the NHL playoffs chasing a rare three-peat as Stanley Cup champions while the Florida Panthers hope to put the finishing touches on what has been a dominant season.
The playoffs mark the most exciting time of year for hockey fans, a grueling two-month tournament featuring 16 teams and four best-of-seven rounds that awards those on the winning team the right to have their names etched onto the silver trophy.
Top-seeded Florida, who have not made it past the first round since losing in the 1996 Stanley Cup Final, open their playoff journey on Tuesday against a Washington Capitals team who could be without their top player.
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