RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Steve Downie and Adam Hall scored in a 10-second span of the third period Friday to break open a close game and send Tampa Bay to a 5-1 win over Carolina.
The Lightning and Hurricanes opened the season against each other after meeting in the final regular-season contest last year. Tampa Bay won that contest 6-2 and knocked Carolina out of playoff contention.
Tampa Bay went on to reach the Eastern Conference finals before falling in seven games to Stanley Cup champion Boston.
The Tampa Bay lead was only 2-1 as the game reached the midway point of the third period, but Downie tipped in a shot on the power play with 7:38 to play and Hall scored on a wrist shot 10 seconds later.
Ryan Malone added a goal with 2:12 remaining.
Jeff Skinner put Carolina in front with the only goal of the first period, but Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier produced the tying and go-ahead scores in the second.
Dwayne Roloson picked up the victory with 32 saves. Cam Ward stopped 29 shots for the Hurricanes.
