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The Lightning played like a two-time Stanley Cup champion is supposed to.
The Panthers played like a team that expects to be on the golf course before long.
That’s the situation Tampa Bay’s dominating 5-1 win Sunday over the bewildered Panthers at Amalie Arena.
The Lightning now leads their Eastern Conference semifinal series 3-0 and can finish it off with a win on Monday.
Florida, which had the NHL’s best regular-season record, must beat Tampa Bay four consecutive times to keep their Cup hopes alive.
Steven Stamkos had two goals for the Bolts, and goalie Andre Vasilevskiy stopped 34 shots.
– Joe Henderson, Extensive Enterprises Media