The Tampa Bay Lightning’s quest to escape their recent first-round playoff purgatory starts with a new 84-game regular-season slate. Here are its most intriguing elements:
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Balanced division matchups
As part of the increase from 82 games, the Lightning will play each of their Atlantic Division foes four times, twice at home and twice on the road. In addition to 28 Atlantic division fixtures, Tampa Bay will match up with Metropolitan Division teams 24 times and play 32 games against the Western Conference.
Facing the Panthers
Fans looking to see the Lightning renew their in-state rivalry with the Panthers at Benchmark International will have to wait until 2027. Tampa Bay hosts Florida on Feb. 16 and March 23; the Lightning play in Sunrise on Nov. 28 and Dec. 26.
Playoff rematch
Looking to exorcise the demons of last season’s Game 7 loss to the Montreal Canadiens? Marty St. Louis’ squad returns to Tampa for games on Dec. 31 and April 8, while the Lightning visit the Bell Centre on Dec. 2 and March 18.
Legends come to town
This upcoming season could be the last for two shoo-in Hall of Famers: Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. The Lightning host Crosby’s Penguins on Dec. 12 and Ovechkin’s Capitals on Oct. 3 — also the home opener and defenseman John Carlson’s first game against the Capitals after nearly 17 seasons in Washington D.C. — and Nov. 17. Lightning legend Steven Stamkos and the Predators visit on Oct. 31 and Dec. 29.
One chance to see the champs
The reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Hurricanes, make their only trip to Tampa on Nov. 25.
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Starting the season at MSG
Before welcoming the Capitals to Benchmark International, the Lighting open the season in Manhattan at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers on Oct. 1.
Homestands and road trips
Tampa Bay will host two six-game homestands — from Nov. 14 to Nov. 27 and from Feb. 12 to Feb. 23 — and will embark on four-game trips on four occasions. The Lightning will play 13 sets of back-to-back games, eight of which will be on the road.
Busiest months
In December, Tampa Bay will play a season-high 15 games, eight on the road and seven at home. The Lightning will play 14 games in March, including two four-game road trips, at Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose and Chicago in the span of six days before embarking on another four-game road trip after returning to Tampa for two games.
How long is the All-Star break?
Last season, the NHL paused its season from Feb. 6-25 to accommodate for the Winter Olympics. This year, the Lightning will only go eight days — Feb. 4-11 — without playing a game. A revamped All-Star Weekend is set to take place Feb. 5-6 on Long Island.
When do tickets go on sale?
Single-game tickets go on sale to the general public starting Aug. 14 at 10 a.m., and presale starts earlier that week.
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2026-27 Lightning schedule
Oct. 1: at Rangers, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3: vs. Capitals, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5: vs. Flyers, 7 p.m.
Oct. 8: vs. Wild, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10: at Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13: at Rangers, 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 15: vs. Kraken, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17: vs. Canucks, 4 p.m.
Oct. 20: at Golden Knights, 10:30 p.m.
Oct. 23: at Avalanche, 10 p.m.
Oct. 24: at Mammoth, 9 p.m.
Oct. 29: vs. Jets, 7 p.m.
Oct. 31: at Predators, 2 p.m.
Nov. 3: vs. Red Wings, 7 p.m.
Nov. 5: vs. Blackhawks, 7 p.m.
Nov. 7: at Wilds, 8 p.m.
Nov. 8: at Jets, 7 p.m.
Nov. 11: at Sabres, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 12: at Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Nov. 14: vs. Red Wings, 7 p.m.
Nov. 17: vs. Capitals, 7 p.m.
Nov. 19: vs. Flyers, 7 p.m.
Nov. 22: vs. Sabres, 5 p.m.
Nov. 25: vs. Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Nov. 27: vs. Senators, 3 p.m.
Nov. 28: at Panthers, 6 p.m.
Dec. 2: at Canadiens, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5: at Senators, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7: vs. Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Dec. 10: vs. Bruins, 7 p.m.
Dec. 12: vs. Penguins, 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 13: at Blues, 8 p.m.
Dec. 15: at Penguins, 7 p.m.
Dec. 17: vs. Flames, 7 p.m.
Dec. 19: at Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Dec. 20: at Red Wings, 5 p.m.
Dec. 22: vs. Blues, 7 p.m.
Dec. 26: at Panthers, 6 p.m.
Dec. 28: at Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29: vs. Predators, 7 p.m.
Dec. 31: vs. Canadiens, 2 p.m.
Jan. 2: vs. Sabres, 7 p.m.
Jan. 5: at Kraken, 9:40 p.m.
Jan. 7: at Canucks, 10 p.m.
Jan. 9: at Flames, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 11: at Oilers, 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 14: vs. Golden Knights, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16: vs. Senators, 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 18: at Bruins, 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 21: at Devils, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23: at Red Wings, 1 p.m.
Jan. 26: vs. Kings, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30: vs. Islanders, 7 p.m.
Feb. 2: at Penguins, 7 p.m.
Feb. 3: at Flyers, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 12: vs. Stars, 7 p.m.
Feb. 13: vs. Avalanche, 7 p.m.
Feb. 16: vs. Panthers, 7 p.m.
Feb. 18: vs. Ducks, 7 p.m.
Feb. 20: vs. Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Feb. 23: vs. Sharks, 7 p.m.
Feb. 25: at Stars, 8 p.m.
Feb. 27: at Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Feb. 28: vs. Mammoth, 7 p.m.
March 3: at Kings, 10 p.m.
March 5: at Ducks, 10 p.m.
March 6: at Sharks, 10 p.m.
March 8: at Blackhawks, 8 p.m.
March 11: vs. Devils, 7 p.m.
March 13: vs. Islanders, 7 p.m.
March 15: at Capitals, 1 p.m.
March 17: at Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m.
March 18: at Canadiens, 7 p.m.
March 20: at Senators, 7 p.m.
March 23: vs. Panthers, 7 p.m.
March 25: vs. Flyers, 7 p.m.
March 27: vs. Rangers, 7 p.m.
March 30: vs. Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
April 1: vs. Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
April 3: at Bruins, 3 p.m.
April 5: at Sabres, 7 p.m.
April 6: at Devils, 7 p.m.
April 8: vs. Canadiens, 7 p.m.
April 10: vs. Bruins, 8 p.m.