Lightning 7, Panthers 2: Steven Stamkos recorded his sixth career hat trick and added an assist as Tampa Bay pulled away from Florida to claim its home opener.

Valtteri Filppula added two third-period goals while captain Martin St. Louis collected a goal and an assist for the Lightning, who have won three straight. Ondrej Palat also scored and Ben Bishop turned aside 19 shots in his third consecutive start for Tampa Bay.

Brad Boyes scored a power-play goal and Calder Trophy winner Jonathan Huberdeau contributed a third-period tally for the Panthers, who have dropped three straight after winning their season opener. Jacob Markstrom made 18 saves on 24 shots and Scott Clemmensen stopped three in relief for Florida, which played its fourth in a row on the road to start the season.

St. Louis put the Lightning in front 8:13 into the contest, sweeping home a cross-crease feed from Stamkos one second after their power play ended. Stamkos doubled the lead 5:41 later when he went to the net to deflect St. Louis' pass glove side on Markstrom for a shorthanded tally.

Boyes knocked in a loose puck that bounced over the stick of Lightning defenseman Radko Gudas at the left post 59 seconds into the second period. Stamkos’ goal off a back pass from defenseman Matt Carle re-established a two-goal cushion at 11:39 and Palat’s blast from the right faceoff circle off Alex Killorn’s cross-ice feed extended the lead 4:12 later.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Stamkos has recorded 20 goals and 34 points in 29 career games against the Panthers. … Florida D Brian Campbell registered his fourth assist of the season on Boyes’ goal. … Teddy Purcell matched his career best with three assists for the Lightning, who improved to 11-7-3 in home openers.