After winning consecutive championships, Cooper led the Lightning back to the Stanley Cup Final in 2022. The Lightning have yet to win a playoff series since losing that Final to the Colorado Avalanche in six games.

Kucherov had only seven shots on goal in five games. He avoided the battle areas quite a bit. When the Panthers hit him — and they did often — he didn’t like it. He threw fits on the ice and the bench. He let the Panthers get to him early and often.

Defending champion Florida Panthers take first step toward repeat bid Wednesday night by eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5.