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Leading on the back of a pair of Steven Stamkos power play tallies, the Lightning allowed three unanswered Philadelphia goals over the final 21 minutes of play and fell 3-2 in their home opener at AMALIE Arena on Tuesday.
It was smooth sailing for Tampa Bay through most of the first two periods. The Bolts led 2-0 courtesy of Stamkos’ fifth and sixth goals of the season, but Scott Laughton got the Flyers on the board late in the second when he pounced on a juicy rebound.
Philadelphia quickly knotted the game at two at 1:06 of the third on a James van Reimsdyk power play goal before Noah Cates scored the eventual game-winner with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation.
The loss drops Tampa Bay to 1-3-0 on the season.
After opening the year against four-straight Metropolitan Division opponents, the Bolts get their first Atlantic Division matchup on Friday when they travel to Sunrise to face the Panthers.