The Tampa Bay Lightning begin the 2014-15 campaign in a somewhat new existence, both figuratively and literally.
For one, the team will host its home games in a renamed stadium, after the Amalie Oil Company secured the naming rights this past summer to the place formerly known as the Tampa Bay Times Forum. The downtown Tampa entertainment and sporting venue was officially rebranded as the "Amalie Arena" on Sept. 3.
For another, the roster will not include Martin St. Louis for the first time in over a decade, after the Lightning traded the 39-year-old right winger to the New York Rangers in a mid-season deal last season. St. Louis had been a mainstay for the organization since 2000, when the former Calgary Flame player chose the Lightning during his free agency period.
With the vacant spot open, highly touted rookie Jonathan Drouin will fill the role and team up with a fully healed Steven Stamkos, who missed most of last season after breaking the tibia in his right leg on Nov. 11 in a game against the Boston Bruins. The rest of the offense features a plethora of youth ESPN says has "a potential third line that would make the first line of some NHL teams a bit jealous."
The Lightning kicks off its season tonight at 7:30 p.m. when they host division and intrastate rival Florida Panthers. Pre-game festivities begin approximately at 4 p.m. when the players meet the fans in a blue carpet affair.
In addition, the band Have Gun, Will Travel, will play on Ford Thunder Alley up until the airing of the live Sun Sports pre-game show from 6:30-7:30 p.m. hosted by Paul Kennedy, who will be joined by former Lightning players and current pre-game, intermission and post-game color analysts Dave Andreychuk and Chris Dingman.
Fans will be able to choose from a variety of food items on Ford Thunder Alley, including the Give & Grub food truck with items named after Lightning personnel. For each meal sold, the Lightning will donate a meal to a hungry child in the Tampa Bay community.
The Hott Mess food truck will also be on hand, along with the new Corona Beach Bar.
Fans will be able to pick up the newest in Lightning gear at the new Tampa Bay Sports, powered by Reebok, merchandise trailer. There will also be face painting, balloon artists and stilt-walkers for kids.
DJ Coz will be on the Bud Light Party Deck prior to the game.
For more information, visit Tampa Bay Lightning.