Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point, right, is stopped by Florida Panthers defenseman Anton Stralman during their Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday in Tampa, Fla. (AP photo)

The reigning Stanley Cup champions let third-period leads slip away in two of the first three games against the Panthers, who won 6-5 in overtime Thursday night after falling behind 5-3 late in the second.

No team has been better this season at putting opponents away when leading after two periods. Including the playoffs, Tampa Bay was 28-0 before Florida rallied to cut the Lightning’s advantage to 2-1 heading into Game 4 (12:30 p.m. EDT, CNBC) of the best-of-seven series today in Tampa, Florida.

“You just don’t throw experience on the ice and experience wins the game. You still have to play the game,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.

The Lightning also surrendered a third-period lead in Game 1, eventually falling behind 4-3 before scoring twice over the final 13 minutes.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Blake Coleman plays against the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game 3 of their Stanley Cup first-round playoff series on Thursday in Tampa, Fla. (AP photo)

The Panthers haven’t won a playoff series in 25 years, but they’re confident about their chances.