TAMPA, Fla. — It's hockey season.
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Carolina Hurricans, 7:30 p.m. Amalie arena
- Pre-season opener
- Spectrum Sports
The new football season may only be weeks old and it's still plenty hot outside around the Bay area but make no mistake, the puck drops tonight on another season of Tampa Bay Lightning hockey.
Tampa Bay hosts Carolina today at 7:30 p.m. at Amalie Arena in both teams' pre-season opener. And the Bolts begin this much anticipated season just days remove from a huge off-the-ice move.
Steve Yzerman stepped down as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning last week after building them into a perennial contender, handing the reins to longtime assistant Julien BriseBois.
It was a surprising move for a powerhouse team, one that reached the Eastern Conference final last season.
The 53-year-old Yzerman spent the past eight seasons as Tampa Bay’s GM, a tenure that included five playoff appearances, three trips to the conference final and an appearance in the 2015 Stanley Cup final.
Tampa Bay came two victories away from the second title in franchise history three years ago. Last year, the Bolts won the Atlantic Division but lost in the Eastern Conference finals to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.
Still, Tampa Bay is considered among the favorites for another Stanley Cup run.