emergency surgery to save his life. While Kennedy was exonerated by the NHL, Detroit management and fans accused him of deliberately injuring Howe. The result was a violent playoff series and increased animosity between the teams. The teams' proximity to each other – Toronto and Detroit are approximately 240 miles (380 km) apart, mainly using Ontario Highway 401 – and a number of shared fans (particularly in markets such as Windsor, Ontario) added to the rivalry. After the Leafs moved to the Eastern Conference in 1998, they faced each other less often, and the rivalry was more often found in the stands than on the ice. The matchup became a divisional one for the first time in fifteen seasons, in the 2013–14 season when the Red Wings moved into the Eastern Conference, sharing their division with the Maple Leafs. The 2014 NHL Winter Classic was played between the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on January 1, 2014. The rivalry might have heightened in 2015 with the signing of former Red Wings coach Mike Babcock as the new coach of the Leafs. Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are both teams located within the state of Florida along Interstate 75, representing different geographical areas within the state. The two teams have played in the same division since 1993 (Atlantic Division from 1993 to 1998, Southeast Division from 1998 to 2013, Central Division in the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, and the new Atlantic Division since 2013, except the 2020–21 season). The rivalry has at times been recognized by an actual trophy, known variously as the "Sunshine Cup", "Nextel Cup", and most recently, the "Governor's Cup." The physical trophy has not been awarded since the 2013–14 season. Despite joining the league within a year of each other, Florida found success first, with a trip to the Finals in just its third season. The Lightning eventually gained the upper hand, making it to five Eastern Conference Finals in the 2010s, while the Panthers fell to the bottom of the Atlantic; for much of this decade, the rivalry was considered dormant by sportswriters. The improvement of the Panthers in the early 2020s under GM Bill Zito, however, made regular season meetings far more competitive. The teams met in the postseason for the first time in the First Round of the 2021 Stanley