The Lightning had a pregame ceremony to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their inaugural season. Terry Crisp, who was coach of the 1992-93 team, dropped the puck for the ceremonial face-off. "I remember the phrase 'NHL Hockey in Tampa? Will never happen,'" Crisp said. "Phil Esposito and his crew had a vision. They took that vision and put their money where their mouth was and they made it happen, and then the fans took over from there. The first year, the 10,300 fans we had at the Expo Hall in the Florida State Fairgrounds, they were the cornerstone. A Stanley Cup lives here now, rightfully so, and the Lightning is recognized as one of the top franchises in the NHL." Most of the players from the original Lightning attended, and Esposito drove the Zamboni during the first intermission. … Tarasenko has nine points (seven goals, two assists) in nine games against Tampa Bay. … Blues forward Sammy Blais had two shots on goal and two blocked shots in 17:18 in his NHL debut.