Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) chat while in the tunnel just prior to taking on the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the first round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Tampa. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

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.