Wednesday, 4 a.m.
Repeat this to yourselves: It was just one game. Just a stubbed toe. Just a slip along a long journey.
Feel better?
No, probably not.
The Tampa Bay Lightning was left with nothing else but the cliches all first-game losers repeat Tuesday night. That’s because the Florida Panthers made their own statement in a 6-2 victory in the playoff opener for the teams.
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The Panthers scored six times on just 16 shots — three at full strength and three on the power play — to take ownership of Amalie Arena.
The Bolts looked little like the team that trounced Florida 5-1 last week as the teams played for second place in the Atlantic Division. Of course, if Florida is looking back, it’s probably concentrating on last year’s playoff series against the Bolts. The Panthers won four of five games then, scoring 20 goals in the process.
Much of the night belonged to Florida. Matthew Tkachuk was activated for the game Tuesday morning, and promptly scored twice. Lightning coach Jon Cooper challenged the Panthers’ third goal, then watched as his team added a fourth in just 14 seconds.
Nate Smith also scored twice for Florida.
The Bolts’ goals came from Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point.
The Bolts are home on Thursday night at Amalie Arena. The puck will drop at 6:30 p.m.
