Both local beat writers Damian Cristodero and Erik Erlendsson report that the Tampa Bay Lightning will open the season on January 19th not against the in-state rival Florida Panthers (as I erroneously suggested last night), but against the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green and the Washington Capitals. The season opener will also be the home opener as at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Cristodero provides a bit of a timeline for the next several days of team and franchise functions in his post on the subject of the season opener: The Bolts will split training camp between the Tampa Bay Times Forum and Germain Arena in Estero. Sunday and Monday's training sessions at the Tampa Bay Times Forum is expected to be open to the public. No word if that will be the case for training in Estero later in the week.

The complete season schedule is still unknown and may not be released for another several days. We'll keep you posted on the matter.