Teams that hold a 2-1 series lead have gone on to win the best-of-seven matchup 69% of the time in Stanley Cup playoff history. The Panthers have won two out of three best-of-seven series when holding a 2-1 lead, and the Lightning are 6-7 all time when trailing 2-1.

Sixteen teams in total make the NBA playoffs, eight teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The top six seeds in each conference advance based on the regular season record. The final two seeds in each conference are wild-card spots based on the best remaining records in each conference.

It's the sixth time the teams will play one another in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina has won the past four series, most recently the 2023 Eastern Conference Second Round in five games. New Jersey won the first series, the 2001 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, in six.