But when looking back at the Panthers’ 5-3 win over the Lightning on Thursday to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-7, opening round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, remember this shift — this gritty performance from a generally unheralded trio — as the moment the game fully went in Florida’s favor.

One of the Lightning’s problem areas during the regular season was defensive-zone turnovers. In Game Three, that problem reared its ugly head. On each of Florida’s first three goals, the Lightning had the puck in the defensive zone and failed to clear it. Soon after, the puck was in the Lightning net.

The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are one game from advancing to the second round after picking up victories on Thursday night.

The Florida Panthers visit the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-0 lead in the series.

Matthew Tkachuk scored twice, including an empty-net goal to ice the game, as the visiting Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 Thursday to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series.

Watch the Game Highlights from Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers, 04/25/2024 Reggie Bush took a victory lap at the Los Angeles Coliseum Thursday while delivering a message to the NCAA. Charlie Woods shot a 9-over 81 in the first stage of U.

The Tampa Bay Lightning face the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, April 25, 2024 (4/25/24).