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Lightning strike early, often in 7-0 win over Flyers
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Duclair had a goal and an assist in his Tampa Bay debut, Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 25 shots and the Lightning exploded with four first-period markers in jolting the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 7-0 on Saturday night.

Acquired from San Jose on Thursday, Duclair slotted at right wing on the second line with center Anthony Cirelli and left winger Steven Stamkos and had a power-play assist.

Vasilevskiy recorded his 22nd win of the season and 34th career shutout.

In the high-scoring first, Hedman (two goals, assist) and Conor Sheary scored at even strength. Nicholas Paul and Brayden Point (assist) registered power-play goals as the Lightning led 4-0 just 10:49 into the teams' third meeting.

Darren Raddysh notched five assists -- a franchise record for a defenseman -- and Nikita Kucherov's point streak reached eight games with two helpers as Tampa Bay won the season series 2-1-0.

With two assists, Stamkos became the first Lightning player with 300 career multi-point outings.

Matt Dumba had a fight and was plus-1 in his first Tampa Bay appearance.

The club's NHL-best power-play unit went 3-for-4 against Philadelphia, which owned the No. 1 penalty kill.

Flyers goalie Felix Sandstrom made eight saves in relief of starter Samuel Ersson, who surrendered four goals on 15 shots and was removed after the final one.

After a pregame ceremony celebrating the franchise's 2004 Stanley Cup championship, Tampa Bay turned the arena's festive tone into a fast lead.

Hedman wristed home his first goal at 1:49 from the high slot. Then on their first power play, the Lightning won a scrum around Ersson five minutes later as Paul shoveled in his career-high 18th marker.

At 9:10, Sheary scored his third goal and Point potted his 33rd just 1:39 later on another power play for a 4-0 lead.

Following Point's goal, angry Flyers coach John Tortorella -- who was the 2003-04 Lightning's head coach -- was charged with a game misconduct and ejected from the match, though he shook his head no repeatedly and refused to leave for at least a minute.

Midway through the second, Dumba dropped the gloves and had a brief fight with Sean Couturier, but Duclair was the newcomer with the best moment, tapping in his 17th goal from Stamkos at 15:41.

In the third, Hedman's second tally, his 12th overall, and Hagel's 23rd on the power play completed the scoring.

This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

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