After a couple of days of practice, and a healthy roster adjustment, the Tampa Bay Lightning are back on the ice tonight for their annual pre-season game in Orlando. Their opponent will be the other Florida-based team. The reigning, defending, undisputed Stanley Cup Champion – the Florida Panthers. Get ready for a healthy dose of in-state hockey as the two teams will go head-to-head three times over the next week to finish off the pre-season.
Expect to see a lot of ice time for the players fighting for spots on the team – Dylan Duke, Jack Finley, Declan Carlie, etc., etc. One player that won’t be on the ice, at least in Orlando, is Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Big Cat skated on his own on Monday and is expected to participate in practice on Tuesday, however, he will not join the team on the trip along I-4 to Orlando.
Victor Hedman and Pontus Holmberg are also dealing with some minor issues, but Coach Jon Cooper doesn’t seem concerned with their status at this point. With ten days to go in training camp, the Lightning are being cautious, especially with their veterans, knowing that it is a long, tedious regular season. With the compressed schedule due to the Olympics, there really is no reason to rush anyone prior to the bell ringing on October 9 against Ottawa.
That being said, expect as close to a regular-season line-up as possible on Thursday’s game at Benchmark. The penultimate pre-season game is usually the one the veterans see the most ice time together, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bolts get as many of their regulars into that game as possible.
We’re at that part of pre-season where the players and the fans are ready for it to be done. The novelty of hockey being back has worn off, most of the prospects have been returned to their teams, and it’s time for these games to start meaning something. The good news is that this should be the last season we have to deal with this feeling. With a shorter training camp, fewer pre-season games, and an earlier start to the season next year, this dead-zone portion of training camp should be eliminated.
We will update this post with the game-day rosters once we see them. The game is at 7:00 PM and will be broadcast over the air on Scripps, through the app, and on the radio.
UPDATE!
Rosters for tonight. #GoBolts
— Raw Charge (@rawcharge.com) September 30, 2025 at 10:56 AM
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Hockey News
Anthony Stolarz extended [Pension Plan Puppets]
The Maple Leafs secured the services of Stolie the Goalie for four more years. It’s a fairly long-term deal for a 32-year-old netminder, but at $3.75 million per season, it’s not a huge financial commitment.
Mason McTavish signs massive extension [Birds of a Feather]
A slightly longer (and much more expensive) contract was signed by Mason McTavish. The restricted free agent finally signed an extension and will remain Alex Killorn’s teammate in Anaheim for the foreseeable future as he agrees to a six-year, $42 million deal. Good for him.
Ethan Gauthier ready to bring his game as a pro to the Lightning [Lightning Insider – subscription]
He’ll start the season in Syracuse, but it won’t be long until Gauthier is wearing the blue and white at the NHL level. One of the Lightning’s top prospects is on the cusp of his NHL debut.
Brandon Hagel focused on bringing the Lightning back to the top [Tampa Bay Times]
The TBT engaged in a Q&A with the Lightning forward most likely to bring a trident onto the ice in a brawl. His number one goal this season is getting the Lightning back on top.
Demidov, Schaefer, Misa among top rookies to watch [NHL.com]
Personally, we’re going with Ryan Leonard to win the Calder Trophy, but that’s just us.
