Including April’s playoffs, the Panthers topped Tampa Bay for the ninth time in 11 games (9-2-0) and improved to 14-0-0 when leading after two periods.

A.J. Greer and Eetu Luostarinen scored short-handed goals 42 seconds apart in the second period to help the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Sunday to open a home-and-home series.

The Lightning know their cross-state rival well, so it’s no secret to them that the Panthers apply relentless pressure on the puck, particularly when an opponent tries to enter the offensive zone. Make a mistake,

A.J. Greer and Eetu Luostarinen tallied short-handed goals on the same penalty kill as the visiting Florida Panthers opened a home-and-home series with three special-teams scores, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Sunday.

There are two NHL teams in Florida: the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. They are separated by about 250 miles and have been fierce rivals since the Panthers joined the NHL for the 1993-94 season. The Lightning joined the League a season earlier.