Coming off two championship seasons, the Tampa Bay Lightning are looking ahead to their first full 82-game season in two years. A season they hope ends in a three-peat, though there are no guarantees of that.
For starters, they’ll be back in the tough Atlantic Division. Boston remains a threat, as does Toronto, but they are joined by the upstart Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers. Even the Ottawa Senators have improved since last facing the Bolts. Buffalo, well, if they can figure out the Jack Eichel situation, they might improve.
All of those games will be crucial to earning a playoff spot, giving the team a chance at another deep postseason run. There will be other intriguing games, though. Whether it be a visit from a former teammate that moved on, a playoff rematch or a special event, there is no doubt Lightning fans are in for a treat during the 2021-2022 NHL season.
Without further ado, here are the top five games you don’t want to miss:
Opening Night: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Most teams look at Opening Night and get excited. If you don’t, are you truly a hockey fan? It has an aura to it that leaves one unable to sit still all day long. A new beginning presents hope, even for the worst teams.
The Lightning once again enter this season as the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. That means they’ll raise another Stanley Cup banner to the rafters on October 12. As fate has it, their opponent on this special night will be the last team to capture back-to-back Cups, in 2016 and 2017.
Boasting a star-studded lineup of their own, the Penguins are looking to make it past the first round for the first time in years. They’ll present a challenge to a Bolts team that lost some key pieces to free agency and the expansion draft.
In saying that, Nikita Kucherov is expected to be fully healthy and ready to go. The same applies to Steven Stamkos, Alex Killorn, Victor Hedman and Brayden Point. Put these players up against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang and you’re in for a treat.
Conference Final Rematch: New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
After playing one another in the 2020 and 2021 Conference Finals (or Semifinals), the Lightning and Islanders have grown to dislike one another.
Knowing the physical nature of these games, expect to see these teams drop the gloves on November 15. That will be their first meeting since the Bolts won an intense seven-game series en route to their second straight Stanley Cup Final.
Featuring Mathew Barzal, who showed signs of maturing last season, and Anders Lee, the Isles look to finally get over the hump this season. They’ll face a brutal early-season schedule, though, playing the first month on the road while their new home in Belmont Park is completed. That road-heavy schedule concludes with trips to Tampa and Sunrise. How well they fare early on could impact their chances of making the playoffs in a stacked Metropolitan Division.
Either way, this game looks to be one for the ages. The Isles can beat the Lightning in low scoring games, but if the Bolts offense is clicking, things might get ugly.
Return of Yanni Gourde: Seattle Kraken vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Soon after the Lightning won the 2021 Stanley Cup, they faced the unenviable task of losing key players from their back-to-back championship teams. Every team does, but this season was a little different.
With Seattle being granted an NHL team, every other team had to leave some players exposed. The Bolts had a wealth of talent at every position, forcing them to lose a key piece in the expansion draft.
For Tampa Bay, Yanni Gourde went out west. His much-anticipated return to Amalie Arena comes on November 26. He will undoubtedly receive a warm welcome, possibly including a video tribute to the many years he spent wearing a Lightning jersey. Once the puck drops, though, don’t expect his former teammates to go easy on him. They’re battling to help their current team pick up two points.
Regardless, Bolts fans should clear their calendar for this matchup. If Gourde’s return isn’t enough reason, the first chance to see Seattle in action should be.
Stanley Cup Final Rematch: Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
December 28, 2021. That is the date that the Lightning host the Canadiens for the first time since beating them to capture hockey’s holy grail. Not only that, these games feature Atlantic Division rivals.
Both teams lost a few players to free agency and gained others. These two teams also unintentionally swapped guys, with Corey Perry joining the Bolts while David Savard went north to Montreal during free agency.
The Canadiens should have Jonathan Drouin back with the team, a good sign as their offensive firepower dried up late in the playoffs. Cole Caufield will only get better after an amazing start to his NHL career. Adding Savard is a great move to help mentor their young defenseman while remaining competitive themselves.
For the Bolts, they’ll have to find a way to beat Montreal without Tyler Johnson. The long-time forward was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks this offseason in an effort to get under the salary cap. He had a knack for getting the puck past Habs goaltender Carey Price, something Tampa Bay will certainly miss in the season series.
Stadium Series: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Nashville Predators
While not a home game, this automatically makes the list for the mere fact that it’s the Lightning’s first outdoor game.
Slated to take place at Nissan Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, this game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 26, 2022.
These teams might not draw national crowds normally, but these aren’t normal circumstances. The chance to participate in an outdoor game, especially in the south, is the opportunity of a lifetime. Expect to see these two teams embrace that and put on a show.
Now that I’ve given my top five can’t-miss games, what do you think? Are there any that should be added or deleted? Leave your thoughts below.
I can’t wait to see the Stadium Series in Tennessee. These Bolts players have yet to play in an Outdoor Game, so let’s see how they perform!