For Tampa Bay Lightning fans, the offseason was a short one. The Bolts are back on the ice tonight to defend the Stanley Cup as the NHL opens its 2021 season. There are a few big differences you’ll notice this year.
No Bubble
ShareYou may remember the Lightning played their games in Toronto during last year's shortened season. Regular season games this year will be played in team home arenas. That means there will be more of a risk of COVID-19 spread and it's already forced the rescheduling of a few games.
No Fans
ShareThe Lightning hoped to be able to allow a limited number of fans in to "Be The Thunder," but given the spike in coronavirus cases in Florida, the seats will be kept empty for at least the start of the season. Tickets are on sale for games later this year.
Kuuuuuuuuuuch
ShareHip surgery means Nikita Kucherov is unfortunately out for the season. But they think he might be available for a playoff run.
Changes In The Broadcast Booth
SharePlay by play guy Rick Peckham has retired. He'll be replaced by Dave Randorf, who once did play by play for the Montreal Canadiens. You won't hear him tonight as the Bolts game will be carried nationally on NBCSN. By the way, NBCSN has made changes too. Lightning fans might miss Rick Peckham, but few will miss Mike Milbury.
Stammer is back!
ShareSteven Stamkos had surgery in the short offseason and has been looking solid during training camp. We'll never forget his amazing goal as he had a short but sweet appearance during the playoffs. Stamkos was playing hurt, but in one shift, scored a key goal for the Bolts.
Lightning Players and Fans Celebrate the Stanley Cup’s Return to Tampa
Q105 at the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Rally at Ray Jay
Share.
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with his teammates during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 and Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
ShareBolt!
DSC_0089
ShareGeno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Vasy and Killorn Comparing Cell Phone Photos
Share.
Yanni Gourde
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Tampa and St Pete Mayors enjoying the laughs
Share.
Bonded for life
Share.
Lightning Organist waits for the team to arrive
Share.
Hey if you see an extra shirt around, can you grab it for me
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Standing ovation for Hedman
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup above his head during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Geno’s photos from the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup celebration at Ray Jay
Share.
Q105 at the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Rally at Ray Jay
Share.
Q105 at the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Rally at Ray Jay
Share.
Q105 at the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Rally at Ray Jay
Share.
Q105 at the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Rally at Ray Jay
Share.
Q105 at the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Rally at Ray Jay
Share.
Q105 at the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Rally at Ray Jay
Share.
Q105 at the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Rally at Ray Jay
Share.
Q105 at the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Rally at Ray Jay
Share.
Q105 at the Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup Rally at Ray Jay
Share.
Lots of trophies!
Share.
We are the champions!
ShareThis is my favorite pic I took of the night. It'll be my desktop computer background for quite a while.
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup above his head during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup above his head during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup trophy above his head during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with his teammates during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning (center) speaks during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Steven Stamkos #91 and Alex Killorn #17 pour beer out of the Stanley Cup for Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Ex-NHL player Dave Andreychuk (left) and Ex-NHL head coach Phil Esposito (right) react during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning (grey shirt) reacts during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks on during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning kisses the Stanley Cup trophy above his head during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup trophy above his head during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup trophy above his head during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Fans walk through the stadium prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Fans cheer from the stands as a "GO BOLTS" sign lays on the field prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Fans enter the stadium prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Overhead view of fans waiting on line to enter the stadium distanced socially prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: General view of the stadium prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Fans walk to the stadium prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Two fans pose for a photo prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Fans purchase merchandise prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: General view of a sign in the stadium prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: General view of fans sitting in the stadium prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning Victory Rally & Boat Parade
ShareTAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Detailed view of t-shirts for sale prior to the victory rally for the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)