Lightning drop “disappointing” opener to Senators, 5-3

Oct 9, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn ImagesThere were so many positive numbers for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nikita Kucherov had two goals. The power play went 2-for-3. Andrei Vasilevskiy had 29 saves. Curtis Douglas knocked out a veteran fighter eight seconds into his first NHL shift. Yet, in the end, a lack of execution allowed two points to slip through their fingers as the Ottawa Senators scored four goals in a row on their way to a come-from-behind 5-4 victory.

The Lightning came out with verve and…