FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 23 , 20 20 Contact: Brian Breseman (813.301.6871 ,
[email protected] ) Trevor van Knotsenburg (813.301.6826,
[email protected] ) LIGHTNING ANNOUNCE 2021 SEASON SCHEDULE TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning announced their 2021 regular season schedule , presented by AdventHealth, today . The schedule features a 56 - game slate with the Bolts opening the season on January 13 against the Chicago Blackhawks and wrapping up the campaign on May 8 at the Flo rida Panthers. As part of the NHL’s return to play protocols, the Lightning have been assigned to the league’s re - aligned, eight - team Central Division. Tampa Bay will play each divisional opponent eight times and will not compete against other division s during the regular season. Other teams in that division include the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators. Detroit and Florida are the only other teams fr om the Atlantic Division to also be moved to the Central through re - alignment during return to play. The Lightning will play an even split of 28 home and road games featuring complete series of consecutive games against the same opponent. The longest home stand of the season will take place from April 15 through April 25 with six games, two each against Florida, Carolina and Dallas. The longest road trip will consist of five games, t hree against Chicago and two at Detroit, from March 3 through March 11. Ticket information, if available, will be made available at a later date.