The Tampa Bay Lightning opens its regular season Friday night at Amalie Arena against their cross-state rivals, the Florida Panthers.
And the 2017-2018 season is expected to be special as the team celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a full schedule of events.
Members of the first Lightning team will reunite at the Oct. 14 Lightning game against the St. Louis Blues. Then a free community celebration is set Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lightning’s original hockey home, the Florida Fairgrounds Expo Hall. You can register for free tickets.
The 2004 Stanley Cup team will be honored at the Nov. 4 Lightning game vs. the Columbus Bluejackets. And the Hall of Fame induction of former Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk will be celebrated Nov. 18 at the New York Islanders game.
The Lightning will also host the National Hockey League All Star Game on Jan. 28, 2018.
And the Lightning will retire the Number 4 jersey of former team captain Vincent Lecavalier Feb. 10, 2018.
But fans are hoping the Lightning will celebrate their Silver Anniversary by winning the silver Stanley Cup for a second time.
A NHL video simulation picked the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the 2018 Stanley Cup.
