Florida Panthers

Tampa & Florida Expected to Host Outdoor Games in 2025-26

As per reports, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are expected to host outdoor games during the 2025-26 NHL season.

by
Spencer Lazary
January 3, 2025

According to Elliotte Friedman, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are expected to host outdoor games during the 2025-26 NHL season. The NHL insider shared this on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts The Podcast. While Friedman didn’t mention specific opponents or whether one of the games will be a Winter Classic or if both will be Stadium Series matchups, the news has generated plenty of speculation.

Lightning’s Outdoor Game

With no opponent named yet, it’ll be interesting to see who the Lightning will face. The initial thought might be a Battle of Florida against the Panthers. However, other matchups come into play since the Panthers are reportedly hosting their own outdoor game.

Potential opponents include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, and Pittsburgh Penguins, all of which would provide compelling narratives. Another option could be the Nashville Predators, with the storyline centered around Steven Stamkos returning to Tampa Bay for an outdoor game.

Panthers’ Outdoor Game

The Panthers are in a similar situation, hosting an outdoor game without an announced opponent. There are several intriguing possibilities, including matchups against the Bruins, Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, or Calgary Flames.

The Bruins and Maple Leafs are natural rivals, with intense playoff battles against the Panthers in recent seasons. A Panthers-Oilers game could draw attention as a rematch of last season’s Stanley Cup Final. Alternatively, a game against the Flames could highlight the blockbuster trade that brought Matthew Tkachuk to Florida, offering another compelling storyline.

Could It Be Panthers vs. Lightning?

Friedman has previously mentioned that every market deserves an outdoor game. This raises the question of the possibility that the Panthers and Lightning could face each other in a home-and-home outdoor series, with each team “hosting” one game.

The NHL has plenty of options for these games, and it will be fascinating to see how they decide to schedule these matchups.

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