Tampa Bay Lightning fan waves a flag from the stands during the third period against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Four of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 22, 2022 in Tampa, Florida.
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)Hockey is over for now. Sad face. But the Tampa Bay Lightning preseason schedule is out today. So that softens the blow a little bit.
Last night, the Stanley Cup was lifted in Florida. Only problem was it wasn't at Amalie Arena. The Tampa Bay Lighting unfortunately made an early exit from the NHL playoffs this year. Instead our neighbors to the south won their first Stanley Cup. The Florida Panthers blew a 3 games to none lead in their series with the Edmonton Oilers. But they bounced back when they had to in Game 7.
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)<em> Sergei Bobrovsky #72 and the Florida Panthers celebrate the Stanley Cup win following a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.</em>
So sadly, there will be no boat parade for the Tampa Bay Lightning this summer.
Tampa Bay Lightning Preseason Schedule
As for the Bolts, they are back on the ice in 3 months. The preseason games don't count of course... but it's nice when we have some hockey to look forward to. The Bolts open their preseason with a game at home against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, September 24.
Then the Lightning head to Orlando for a game at the Kia Center to take on the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers the next night (September 25).
Tampa Bay will then face the Nashville Predators in a back-to-back set with the first game taking place September 27 at AMALIE Arena before the two teams meet in Tennessee with a matchup at Bridgestone Arena on September 28.
The Bolts’ preseason rolls on with two consecutive contests against the Panthers, the first taking place at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on September 30 ahead of the Lightning’s final home game of the preseason on October 2. Tampa Bay will then travel to Raleigh, North Carolina and cap off the preseason with a contest versus the Hurricanes at PNC Arena on October 4.
Tuesday, September 24
Lightning vs. Hurricanes | 7 p.m.
Wednesday, September 25
Lightning vs. Panthers (Kia Center) | 7 p.m.
Friday, September 27
Lightning vs. Predators | 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 28
Lightning at Predators | 7 p.m.
Monday, September 30
Lightning at Panthers | 7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 2
Lightning vs. Panthers | 7 p.m.
Friday, October 4
Lightning at Hurricanes | 7 p.m.
Even back then there were those "Stanley Needs a Tan" signs and t-shirts. It was 20 years ago today the headlines read that your Tampa Bay Lightning win their first Stanley Cup. It wouldn't be their last. Where were you that day?
In 2004, some guy at Harvard created a new website called Facebook in his dorm. President George Bush was reelected. Martha Stewart went to prison. Janet Jackson had the infamous "wardrobe malfunction." The Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918. But the thing we'll always remember about 2004: the Tampa Bay Lightning win their first Stanley Cup.
The Tampa Bay Lightning Win Their First Stanley Cup: Doubt
The Tampa Bay Lightning poured champagne in the locker room after defeating the Calgary Flames in game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Back on June 7, 2004, it wasn't Amalie Arena yet. It was the St. Pete Times Forum where the Lightning won the Stanley cup by defeating the Flames 2-1.
2004 was the first year the Bolts would even play in the playoffs. Dave Andreychuk told The Hockey News that he didn't think his team was good enough to pull this off. But as the playoff wins started to pile up, he said the formula was simple: "We stick to the system and we can beat anybody." They did.
We did some digging and found some great photos of even the Stanley Cup winning team. There were appearances by Elvis impersonators, Alexander Ovechkin and Hulk Hogan.
Lightning v Flames, Game 3
Brian Bahr/Getty ImagesDefenseman Robyn Regehr #28 of the Calgary Flames passes the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game four of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals.
Stanley Cup Finals: Lightning v Flames
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)Vincent Lecavalier #4 of the Tampa Bay Lightning throws a punch at Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames during a fight in the first period in game three of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on May 29, 2004 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)Vincent Lecavalier #4 of the Tampa Bay Lightning poses for a photo with wrestler Hulk Hogan, son Nick Hogan and wrestler Brian "Nasty Boy" Knobbs.
2004 Stanely Cup Tampa Bay Lightning victory parade
(Photo by Chris Livingston/Getty Images)Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Dave Andreychuk holds up the NHL Stanley Cup trophy during a victory parade June 9, 2004 in Tampa, Florida.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)Camera phones weren't a thing yet! Andre Roy #36 of the Tampa Bay Lightning video tapes the post game celebration after the victory.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)Vincent Lecavalier #4 of the Tampa Bay Lightning gets a hug after the victory over the Calgary Flames in Game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 7, 2004 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Vincent Lecavalier #4 of the Tampa Bay Lightning raises the the Stanley Cup over his head in the locker room.
Stanley Cup Finals: Lightning v Flames
(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)Pavel Kubina #13 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with the crowd after defeating the Calgary Flames 2-1 in game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals.
Stanley Cup Finals: Lightning v Flames
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Ben Clymer #7 of the Tampa Bay Lightning pours champagne over the head of Vincent Lecavalier #4 in the locker room.
2004 Stanely Cup Tampa Bay Lightning victory parade
(Photo by Chris Livingston/Getty Images)Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Dave Andreychuk holds up the NHL Stanley Cup trophy during a victory parade June 9, 2004 in Tampa, Florida.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)Tampa Bay Lightning players and staff pose for a team photo with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Calgary Flames in Game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 7, 2004 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Flames 2-1.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
Brian Bahr/Getty ImagesThe Stanley Cup is carried to center ice for the presentation to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Stanley Cup Finals: Lightning v Flames
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)Pavel Kubina #13 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)Nikolai Khabibulin #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning poses for a photo with a NHL official after the victory.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)Eric Perrin #9 of the Tampa Bay Lightning poses for a photo with his daughter Alyssa after the victory.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)Vincent Lecavalier #4 of the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the Stanley Cup above his head after the victory over the Calgary Flames in Game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 7, 2004 at the St. Pete Times Forum.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)Nikolai Khabibulin #35 and Andre Roy #36 of the Tampa Bay Lightning pose for a photo after the victory.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks at center ice before presenting the Stanley Cup to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)Brad Richards #19 of the Tampa Bay Lightning smiles as he holds the Stanley Cup in the locker room.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Nikolai Khabibulin #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning eyes the puck to his right as teammate Dan Boyle #22 defends the crease against Dave Lowry #10 of the Calgary Flames in Game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 7, 2004 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Flames 2-1.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Cory Sarich #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning drinks from the Stanley Cup in the locker room.
Lightning v Flames, Game 7
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Martin Cibak #8 and John Grahame #47 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate with cigars while Grahame readies to pop the cork on a bottle of chilled Totts champagne.
Stanley Cup Finals: Lightning v Flames
(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)Darren Rumble #38 of the Tampa Bay Lightning hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Calgary Flames in game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Final on June 7, 2004 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida.
Stanley Cup Finals: Lightning v Flames
(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)Thousands of fans that couldn't get tickets, watch the Calgary Flames take on the Tampa Bay Lightning from outside the St. Pete Times Forum in game seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 7, 2004 at the St. Pete Times Forum (now Amalie Arena).
