Hurricanes drop season opener 4-1 to Tampa Bay Lightning

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- It was a big night for the Carolina Hurricanes at the newly-named Lenovo Center as the team started its 27th season in North Carolina.

Unfortunately for the Canes, the Tampa Bay Lightning spoiled the evening, beating Carolina 4-1 in the opener.

It was Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour's first regulation loss in a season opener.

"I honestly didn't know what I was watching most of that game," Brind'Amour said. "Because that's just uncharacteristic, but maybe we'll learn from this."

Carolina took the early lead on Captain Jordan Staal's first-period goal but failed to find the net the rest of the way.

Staal scored by tapping in an around-the-net feed from William Carrier.

Andersen finished with 19 saves for Carolina.

The Lightning tied it in the second period and netted three more in the third to put the game away.

Nikita Kucherov scored a third-period hat trick for the Lightning.

Kucherov beat Hurricane goaltender Frederick Andersen for the go-ahead power-play goal 11:06 into the third with a low slapshot on the glove side. The Lightning winger then iced the game with empty-net goals at 17:52 and 19:44. Brayden Point also scored a power-play goal for the Lightning to open the scoring.

Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 20 saves.

The Hurricanes spent too much time in the penalty box for a tightly-contested game. They were sent to the box six times, with the Lightning twice scoring in the first 15 seconds of the man advantage after faceoff wins by Nick Paul.

The two teams were supposed to play again Saturday in Florida, but Hurricane Milton postponed that game. Carolina has been sharing their practice facility after the Lightning left Florida early to avoid the storm.

The Canes will play two games at home before going on the road during the North Carolina State Fair. Carolina hosts New Jersey on Tuesday while Tampa Bay will host Vancouver on the same night.

The Associated Press contributed.