A Lightning power play was negated after the second-period horn when Anthony Cirelli was called for roughing. But Tampa Bay opened the third by scoring in the final seconds of 4-on-4 play (before Florida went on the power play) on Jake Guentzel’s third goal of the series just 21 seconds into the third period.

With a raucous crowd and optimism abound, the Tampa Bay Lightning finally opened their Eastern Conference first-round series with the rival Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, only to drop a deflating 6-2 decision to the defending Stanley Cup champions.