Tampa Bay Lightning fans gather at Thunder Alley moments before the doors open on the NHL opening day with the Lightning set to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Fans hustle passed the Phil Esposito statue while they climb the stairs as the doors open on the NHL opening day with the Lightning set to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. The Phil Esposito statue is a commemorative bronze work created in honor of NHL Hall-of-Famer, Phil Esposito, for his role in co-founding the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise. It was unveiled on December 31, 2011 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning team ambassador Bolt looks on hours before fans arrive outside of the arena on the NHL opening day with the Lightning set to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning players look on while on the ice as the Stanley Cup Champions banner is raised on the ice before the Lightning take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning players look on while on the ice as the Stanley Cup Champions banner is raised on the ice before the Lightning take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
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Tampa Bay Lightning players look on while on the ice as the Stanley Cup Champions banner is raised on the ice before the Lightning take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Sonya Bryson-Kirksey performs the national anthem on opening night before the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Sonya Bryson-Kirksey performs the national anthem on opening night before the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) works to keep the puck out while in net against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sam Lafferty (18) and defenseman Marcus Pettersson (28) works along the boards against Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
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Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) works to move the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jason Zucker (16) during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) works to get a stick on the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) works to move the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) takes a shot at net against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jason Zucker (16) during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on along with defenseman Erik Cernak (81) as Pittsburgh Penguins center Danton Heinen (43) celebrates the first goal of the game scored by the Penguins in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
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Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on after the Pittsburgh Penguins score the first goal of the game in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Pittsburgh Penguins center Brian Boyle (11), left, celebrates his goal along with his team after he beat Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) for the Penguins second goal of the game in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Pittsburgh Penguins center Brian Boyle (11) celebrates his goal along with his team after he beat Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) for the Penguins second goal of the game in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) flooks on during stoppage in play against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Aena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) battles between Pittsburgh Penguins center Danton Heinen (43), left, and center Brian Boyle (11) in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Aena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
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Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91), left and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) battle with Pittsburgh Penguins center Teddy Blueger (53), in center, down on the ice during the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) gets a good scoring chance in front of the net against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) while on a power play during the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) battles for position against Pittsburgh Penguins center Evan Rodrigues (9) during the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Mathieu Joseph (7) on the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on as the Pittsburgh Penguins center Dominik Simon (49) scores making the it 3-0 during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. \p19\ DIRK SHADD | Times
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Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Taylor Raddysh (16) skates off as the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates going up 3-0 on a goal by center Dominik Simon (49), on right, during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Derek Lalonde, left, head coach Jon Cooper, center, and assistant coach Jeff Halpern, right, look on from the bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) skates off as the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate their goal as they go up 4-1 during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Pat Maroon (14) looks on before a face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning players skate off the ice after getting beat by the Pittsburgh Penguins with a final score of 6-2 in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Times
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BSVIRJI6K5AKXMJR5BLRPY5E5A.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning fans gather at Thunder Alley moments before the doors open on the NHL opening day with the Lightning set to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3LOGI3P2Q5FILEG2KBXVJBXMQA.JPG "Fans hustle passed the Phil Esposito statue while they climb the stairs as the doors open on the NHL opening day with the Lightning set to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. The Phil Esposito statue is a commemorative bronze work created in honor of NHL Hall-of-Famer, Phil Esposito, for his role in co-founding the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise. It was unveiled on December 31, 2011 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa,")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/W3AQKX6NK5ECVL4H4VBBL5CBQA.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning team ambassador Bolt looks on hours before fans arrive outside of the arena on the NHL opening day with the Lightning set to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QM52O6SRN5FCHKPPNOEY4USILE.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning players look on while on the ice as the Stanley Cup Champions banner is raised on the ice before the Lightning take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/AYH3GCDWUFFODHHWWOHEIWN6WI.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning players look on while on the ice as the Stanley Cup Champions banner is raised on the ice before the Lightning take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WUA7OAZFWZHWPJ5HWD4VR3DMOQ.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning players look on while on the ice as the Stanley Cup Champions banner is raised on the ice before the Lightning take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/HCPS7CANFFDDBCTU7J7ZJBCPL4.JPG "Sonya Bryson-Kirksey performs the national anthem on opening night before the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KWSGFOKC6JDFFDU7NY3XJH5SFM.JPG "Sonya Bryson-Kirksey performs the national anthem on opening night before the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DMWQCNQRPRDC3NY5ANFR3URKO4.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) works to keep the puck out while in net against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2VSAGHKHJ5HTLDKZFPUCTTNPIM.JPG "Pittsburgh Penguins center Sam Lafferty (18) and defenseman Marcus Pettersson (28) works along the boards against Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/J37Z576AHJCPTJOIPYMIUS7PMA.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) works to move the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jason Zucker (16) during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LJDQMGMVAZG4LBBYJSAMK6LBPU.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) works to get a stick on the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6KSI2SQUUJCGFLM7VZMTHO3KCI.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) works to move the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/COGU5ZCGNBGUHBM3VIX4UELS2E.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) takes a shot at net against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jason Zucker (16) during the first period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QUKEA3C755H3LOD2T7CGLBACGE.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on along with defenseman Erik Cernak (81) as Pittsburgh Penguins center Danton Heinen (43) celebrates the first goal of the game scored by the Penguins in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ZQTKQT3FDZH6VD7K26YKMK6ZFI.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on after the Pittsburgh Penguins score the first goal of the game in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/K6VU6ZQDE5HZLJO4S4VBZ46XHM.JPG "Pittsburgh Penguins center Brian Boyle (11), left, celebrates his goal along with his team after he beat Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) for the Penguins second goal of the game in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SSLN5BT4Y5AIPK7WUD7YHUJWYU.JPG "Pittsburgh Penguins center Brian Boyle (11) celebrates his goal along with his team after he beat Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) for the Penguins second goal of the game in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2HCXPEHLDNC2LPYGX7WAFAI4PQ.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) flooks on during stoppage in play against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Aena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/REF6WWVDGBETPDBNAFUYS37IW4.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) battles between Pittsburgh Penguins center Danton Heinen (43), left, and center Brian Boyle (11) in the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Aena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/GNXS4KJBDNBVFBZ2U52HWUTB5U.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91), left and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) battle with Pittsburgh Penguins center Teddy Blueger (53), in center, down on the ice during the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DEQKCCXNB5B6VAGXLDNBSH2FHM.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) gets a good scoring chance in front of the net against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) while on a power play during the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2V6I2QL6KVFPBB37TLRPVZBHHA.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) battles for position against Pittsburgh Penguins center Evan Rodrigues (9) during the second period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IDYMVXVEYVE3HJVEIUIFG3DYBM.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Mathieu Joseph (7) on the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/S2DSMFKA7RCRPLLJU5LA5JGZ6Q.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on as the Pittsburgh Penguins center Dominik Simon (49) scores making the it 3-0 during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa. \p19\")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IS2BQGGDRFEUFLTFJ4V2WOO4WE.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Taylor Raddysh (16) skates off as the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates going up 3-0 on a goal by center Dominik Simon (49), on right, during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FJSXOCKOPRB3ZE75PRVSNXHINQ.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Derek Lalonde, left, head coach Jon Cooper, center, and assistant coach Jeff Halpern, right, look on from the bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DELXFSUTOBBZZM3CAH6ODHXBX4.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) skates off as the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate their goal as they go up 4-1 during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KXUMLMM2OFHRBOBD4U6L7WTJCQ.JPG "Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Pat Maroon (14) looks on before a face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5MIZVI6AJ5DJ5JM74PFWMDJGMA.jpg "Tampa Bay Lightning players skate off the ice after getting beat by the Pittsburgh Penguins with a final score of 6-2 in the NHL season opener at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Tampa.")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/edba4655-f417-4021-9fcc-c9ea83dbafc7.png "Dirk Shadd - Photographer")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/BpjG-6TVqMmfC4Qpqafc7p5tafM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VSG2MPQL7NGXNLLWHJPDI5PEOU.JPG "Phil Esposito star of the night at Lightning’s first Hall of Fame induction")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/56W3_zsA28HZPmRdGCOpfuxGtMA=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LZND5V6FOBCBLIVQEFTFNK45OQ.jpg "Big night from Brandon Hagel lifts Lightning to win over Devils")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/slHfZvxrOHsDb9Dj7NcnTCY-jXM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ULZAKCP62TDVLOTSF4MQPCIEJE.jpg "Lightning come up short in Montreal at start of four-game road trip")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/7eYYNJEi1SbEpFCWikZVQbe_kBU=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TVZ4DNFQDNFUHIN36NMIUKZDXE.jpg "Ex-Lightning forward, fan favorite Ondrej Palat returns to Tampa with Devils")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/8k-EpaSxyYTxlLYObNToOhp9wrw=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TL6L4P657BHU6W7Y4B5K3CHZSI.jpg "Second period sinks Lightning in loss at home to Devils")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/vG-SN3r9T6sGhlm2uPG4hu5NBFI=/1200x675/filters:focal(2095x895:2105x885)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OKE7ZZW3QVCUHBDH6KFJOJFZVY.jpg "Late-season fatigue a challenge for Lightning down the stretch")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/0-boduoPaZTe7FUO-HwFVDkTRNk=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IOLSM2AGKBD6NJ5GO2DRJ7KGI4.jpg "Steven Stamkos scores twice as Lightning survive Devils in shootout")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/TDAdI-jVNb4fCwSe9C0YHIQSiRo=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PU5HGQFGXVBMXJKCGOQC6CAWWM.jpg "Lightning trying to find right line combinations as postseason nears")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/op5DtLzY6sGi6Z0Msg5f3SVUiEA=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/Y7Y7FLLY6JD6JHUMTYCLLSSOD4.JPG "Brandon Hagel’s hat trick caps Lightning’s comeback win over Canadiens")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IIG4YNCCVNAKLEH6GTBZWKOKIE.JPG "Moderation is key for Rays pitcher Josh Fleming")