Tampa Bay is knocked out of the playoffs in the first round for a third straight season, including twice by Florida.

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s postseason ended on home ice Wednesday night, as the Florida Panthers beat them 6-3 in Game 5 to take the first-round series and win the Battle of Florida. The defending champions eliminated Tampa for the second consecutive year,

Winning in the Stanley Cup playoffs and becoming a championship-capable team, Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said, is an art. It’s something that has to be learned.