Nikita Kucherov scored a hat trick in the final nine minutes and the Tampa Bay Lightning posted a 4-1 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes in the season opener for both teams Friday night in Raleigh, N.C.

Brayden Point scored the first Tampa Bay goal, with Kucherov picking up an assist on the goal. Kucherov added two empty-net goals, including the last one with 16 seconds left.

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