Get those markers and calendars ready (ours is a National Park one), we have hockey to schedule for next season. The first signs of the Tampa Bay Lightning 2025-26 season have started to trickle out as the team with the release of the preseason schedule. As expected, the Bolts (well, mostly their younger players, and the ones on the roster bubble) will be taking on the usual suspects starting on September 22nd. The Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, and Florida Panthers will be their opponents for the seven preseason games. Three games will be played in Tampa, three on the road, and one at the Kia Center in Orlando.
Monday September 22 – Lightning at Hurricanes, 7:00 PM EST
Tuesday September 23 – Lightning at Predators, 7:00 PM EST
Friday September 26 – Lightning vs. Hurricanes, 7:00 PM EST
Saturday September 27 – Lightning vs. Predators, 7:00 PM EST
Tuesday September 30 – Lightning vs. Panthers – Kia Center, Orlando, 7:00 PM
Thursday October 2 – Lightning vs. Panthers, 7:00 PM
Saturday October 4 – Lightning at Panthers, 7:00 PM
If we were the gambling type, we would expect the games on the 27th, the 30th, and the 2nd to have the closest thing to an opening day line-up for the Bolts. We would also expect there to be some sort of fan fest type of atmosphere on the 27th.
Finishing things off with three straight games against the Panthers should be interesting. It’s not like they have a history of shenanigans in preseason games.
Seven preseason games is a lot of games. Some might even say its too many. With players maintaining their physical condition throughout the entire year, the idea that they need to play their way back into shape had become a bit outdated. With the exception of the coaches that have to make roster decisions, there aren’t many people that actually enjoy these games. We will grant another exception to the fans of the teams when they play in neutral sites like the Orlando game.
With the next CBA currently being negotiated, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them curtail some of these preseason games. Sure, the owners will grumble at the mere thought of not being able to sell more $14 beers during a glorified scrimmage game, but it’s doubtful that it will be a major sticking point in coming up with a deal. Four preseason games seems ideal, and it would allow the league to trim a few days off of the schedule.
The team didn’t announce a broadcast schedule for these games, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see some of them pop up as part of their new Scripps Sports Network affiliation. Once we have more details, we’ll be sure to pass them along.
