TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to face off against the Nashville Predators tonight at AMALIE Arena in the first of two meetings this season.
Tonight’s game holds special significance as Steven Stamkos returns to AMALIE Arena, but this time wearing a Nashville Predators jersey.
After 16 seasons with the Lightning, where he became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and captained the team to two Stanley Cups, Stamkos signed with the Predators in the offseason.
READ: Tampa Bay Lightning Blank Washington Capitals 3-0 At AMALIE Arena
This will be his first game against his former team, and emotions are sure to be high for both Stamkos and the Lightning faithful.
The Predators enter the game with a 2-5-0 record, while the Lightning boast a 5-3-0 record and currently sit in second place in the Atlantic Division. Historically, the Lightning have held the advantage against the Predators, with a 23-16-5 all-time record.
Key players to watch for the Lightning include Nikita Kucherov, who leads the team in points with 14, and Brandon Hagel, who has tallied 10 points in eight games. Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to start in goal for the Lightning. He holds a 12-8-3 career record against the Predators.
READ: Rock Riley: Tampa Bay Lightning Radio Voice Dave Mishkin & Rock’s Stories
The Lightning will be looking to continue their winning ways after a decisive 3-0 victory over the Washington Capitals in their last game.
Upcoming Milestones:
Several Lightning players are approaching significant career milestones:
- Cam Atkinson: Needs one goal to reach 250 career goals.
- Anthony Cirelli: Needs two goals to reach 100 career goals and one goal to surpass Chris Gratton for 13th place on the Lightning’s all-time goals list.
- Zemgus Girgensons: Needs one assist to reach 100 career assists.
- Victor Hedman: Needs five assists to pass Steven Stamkos for second place on the Lightning’s all-time assists list.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy: Needs three wins to reach 300 career wins.
Did You Know?
- Conor Geekie recently became the 20th youngest player in Lightning history to score his first NHL goal.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded his 35th career shutout in the last game.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Hulu, with radio coverage on 102.5 The Bone.
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