Lightning drop Sabres 4-1, with Stamkos getting 1st goal

Ben Bishop finished with 24 saves as the Lightning start the season 2-0 for the fifth time in franchise history and first time since 2010-11. “Playground rules”, Lightning coach Jon Cooper said in thepostgameinterview.

“I have not received the report on it this morning”, Bylsma said.

“You know it’s going to come, but you go through a few droughts”, said Stamkos.

NOTES: The Sabres placed Lehner on the injured list before the game, calling up Nathan Lieuwen to back up Johnson. “Our focus should be on how we need to play, not as much them”.

The revamped Sabres have shown improvement after finishing last in the National Hockey League in each of the past two seasons but are still working on their chemistry.

Erik Condra, the only “new guy” on the Lightning roster, scored his first goal midway through the second. The right winger curled inside the left point and lifted a high wrist shot through traffic to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead. Just minutes before, it looked like Filppula had scored a goal, but it wasn’t confirmed if the shot only hit the post. Sam Reinhart and Josh Gorges assisted for the Blue & Gold.

It was a feeling out process for both teams to start, but throughout the game the Lightning seemed to take control of the game by using their speed to get around a more physical Flyers team. With Tampa Bay turning up the pressure, Kucherov fired a hard wrist shot high to the glove side. They rallied in the third period of both before falling, 6-4 and 3-1, respectively.

LINING UP: The Lightning had the same lineup as Thursday’s opener, with C Cedric Paquette and D Nikita Nesterov scratched. Prior to the game, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma had no update regarding the status of G Robin Lehner. J.T. Brown had the puck at his disposal on top of the crease, but Sabres goaltender Chad Johnson broke it up and continued to shut Tampa Bay down. He was scheduled to have an MRI on his lower-body sprain Saturday.

The Sabres would make a critical mistake, however, late in the second to allow Tampa Bay to pull back in front as Buffalo was whistled for too many men on the ice in the offensive zone at 17:34 for Tampa Bay’s third power play chance of the game.