I’ll be heading up to DC (I’m located in Virginia) to the Washington Capitals-New York Rangers game, so I’ll be missing the Lightning’s home opener. Now, before people get all up in arms over this, let me explain why. And yes, I have a very good reason.

I’ve been meaning to go watch the Rangers play for a while, but just haven’t managed to do it for one reason or another. I was very upset when Markus Naslund retired at the end of last season, because he was one of the reasons why I wanted to see them play. I want to see them now because of John Tortorella and Vinny Prospal.

The NHL schedule is set up so that the Rangers come to DC twice this season – tonight, and again in March. In March, the Lightning play the Caps twice at the beginning of the month, both games happening within the space of a little over a week. And of course the Rangers play right in between those two Bolts games. So instead of having to choose between attending a Lightning or a Ranger game then - or missing the Rangers yet again since I won’t be able to do all three - I’m going to see the Rangers play now and miss the Lightning game on tv tonight.

I wouldn’t bother writing about this except that there are people that are a bit upset that I’m missing the home opener. Frankly, I don’t think it’s a big deal. I’m not abandoning the team, just making sure I can see them in person later on. If I were living in the Tamp area still, I’d be doing my best to go to the game. But I’m not, so I’m not going to worry about it.

There will still be a game thread up on the site tonight, so please stop by and say hi to your fellow Lightning fans. And keep it civil. Don’t say anything on there that you wouldn’t say in front of children. Thank you.

A game preview will be up later today.