Tkachuk scored twice on the power play and made an all-around impact as Florida opens the playoffs with an emphatic win over in-state rival Tampa Bay.

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk returned to action with two goals and an assist, and the Stanley Cup champs swiped home-ice advantage by thumping the host Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 to start their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Tuesday night.

Tkachuk ended up playing just 19 shifts over 11:43 of playing time, about six and a half minutes less than his average TOI during the season. He finished with three shots on five attempts but was not credited with any hits or blocked shots.