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Preseason games being played at home aren't so important. But the Lightning need to start catering to potential fans and start playing more exhibitions within the southeast -- starting in Orlando.

A brief preview of tonight's season opener at Phillips Arena: Lightning versus Thrashers.

The Lightning have trimmed their roster by 11 players and are now down to 29.

With an epic exhibition road trip ahead of them, all excess warm bodies on the Lightning roster are appreciated...

Can Steve Downie realize his potential while playing with the likes of Alex Tanguay and Vincent Lecavalier? Or will he fall back into the recklessness that he's been known for his entire career?

With Alex Tanguay in the fold, the Bolts have five top-line caliber fowards on the roster. The missing body is a 2nd line right-wing, and we throw out some of the possible candidates going into camp, trying to win that spot.

The Lightning heads west for a majority of it's preseason schedule.