TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes found a way to secure a valuable point against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Robert Kron scored early in the third period, and the depleted Hurricanes remained unbeaten in their last 10 games against Tampa Bay with a 3-3 tie Friday night.

Carolina center Ron Francis missed the game because of dizziness, and is listed as day-to-day. Center Jeff O'Neill sat out his second straight game due to back spasms. The Hurricanes also are playing without holdout center Keith Primeau.

"It was a gutsy effort by everyone," said Francis, who might return for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh. "I'm not surprised by it. I think this team has learned how to deal with adversity. Tonight was another good example."

Francis' dizziness, which was likely caused by an ear canal problem, first surfaced when he turned his head in bed Friday morning.

"We'll see how the flight goes and take it from there," said Francis, who said he felt much better after Friday's game.

The Hurricanes got a key performance from goalie Arturs Irbe, who made 27 saves. Nine came in the first period, when the Hurricanes were clearly outplayed.

"They outplayed us, we out-goaltendered them," Carolina coach Paul Maurice. "We'll take it."

"We had a tough time starting the game, but after the first period we settled down," Irbe said.

Kron tied it during a power play just 81 seconds into period. The Carolina center was positioned in the low slot and deflected in a shot by Andrei Kovalenko.

Vincent Lecavalier had a goal and an assist for the Lightning, 0-5-5 against the Carolina franchise since a victory Oct. 1, 1997.

"It's always tough to tie a game like that," Lecavalier said. "I think we should have won that game, but there's nothing we can do about it."

Paul Coffey had two assists, giving the Carolina defenseman 1,492 career points. He is two behind points behind Mario Lemieux, who is eighth on the NHL career list.

Despite outshooting the Hurricanes 11-5, the Lightning held a 2-1 lead after the first period on goals by Lecavalier and Jassen Cullimore. Sean Hill scored for Carolina.

The Hurricanes had killed 17 straight penalties before Lecavalier's power-play goal. Lecavalier has two goals and four assists in the last three games.

The teams traded second-period goals. Andrei Zyuzin put the Lightning up 3-1, and Bates Battaglia got Carolina within a goal during a power play.