After falling to their in-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the Battle of Florida during the 2021 and 2022 playoffs, the Panthers got another crack at them in the 2024 First Round. Following a Game 1 win, Carter Verhaeghe struck in overtime in Game 2, delivering the winner to give Florida a 2–0 series lead at home. The goal helped flip the script in the rivalry, as Florida went on to beat Tampa Bay in five games and eventually capture the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.