The Panthers have missed the playoffs for the past three seasons. That string may end this season as the Panthers should be much improved. They've added players and opened up their checkbook. But it's going to take a while to get things going. 
This is a bad spot for the Panthers drawing Tampa Bay on the road. The Lightning dominated the regular-season tying the NHL record for most wins with 62. However, the Lightning were shockingly swept in the first round of the playoffs by Columbus.
The Lightning have been in angry mood during preseason. Now they finally can put last season's early Stanley Cup disappointment behind them. They draw in-state rival Florida and the Panthers' new goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky. The irony isn't lost here. It was Bobrovsky who helped the Hurricanes sweep the Lightning in the playoffs with his stellar goal play. 
Tampa Bay has dominated this series winning the past six meetings while averaging 5.1 goals in these games. The Lightning will be sky high for this long-awaited season-opener especially looking to get revenge on Bobrovsky.