There is a changing of the guard in Florida and the Eastern Conference, as the Panthers eliminated the Lightning from the playoffs again.

Expectations were high this year in Tampa Bay. After an early exit last spring, the belief inside the room — and across the fan base — was that this version of the Lightning was more equipped to go a deep playoff run.

The Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup title defense got off to an ideal start, as the defending champions eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in their opening-round