Lightning Strikes | Weather may create hurdles for Stadium Series game

Plus: Nashville's growth into sports market has a familiar feel

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Friday, February 25, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters [JOHN RUSSELL | Nashville Predators] How could weather impact Lightning's outdoor game? The NHL has done enough outdoor games — 33 going into the Lightning's Stadium Series game in Nashville Saturday night — that it is prepared for any weather situation that might arise.    For the past few days, crews have been hard at work at Nissan Stadium protecting the ice sheet after steady rain fell on Nashville, using utility vehicles with 10-foot squeegees to clear water that could make the ice melt.    No matter its level of pregame preparation, the league's facilities crew will still be holding out hope that the weather will clear up. Currently, the forecast is calling for temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s with the potential for rain showers increasing as the game progresses.    Read more about the rink preparation and what challenges the weather might bring to the Lightning's first game outdoors. A repeat to remember Want to relive the Lightning’s second straight Stanley Cup win? The Tampa Bay Times has a new book for that. Striking Twice commemorates another thrilling NHL championship season. Order yours today! [MARK HUMPHREY | Associated Press] Tampa Bay and Nashville share similar sports paths With the Stadium Series game, Nashville will get another valuable opportunity to showcase itself as one of the sports hubs of the south.   It doesn't have the trophies that Tampa Bay has earned over the past few years: the Stanley Cup twice and a Lombardi Trophy. But Music City's growth into a sports destination is much like Tampa Bay's — though Nashville's downtown area, and how it connects the city's two professional franchises, might be unmatched.   And while there are differences between the markets — among them Tampa Bay's attempt to keep Major League Baseball and Nashville's desire to get an MLB team — they share plenty of similarities in how they've established fan bases in nontraditional markets, drawn showcase events and even the challenges of keeping up with bigger cities with bigger pocketbooks.    As Nashville hosts its first outdoor hockey game, Tampa hopes to follow suit. So, the city and the Lightning will be following their neighbors to the north closely.   [DIRK SHADD | Times] In case you missed it ... • Corey Perry reaches 400-goal milestone in Lightning's win over Oilers   • John Romano: Lightning's replacements make it easier letting go of the past   • How Lightning staff prepares for the team's first outdoor game   • Lightning-Predators Stadium Series game by the numbers   • Outdoor game sparks feelings of nostalgia for Lightning Gain unlimited access to Lightning, Buccaneers and Rays coverage for about $1 a week! Subscribe now Upcoming games  Saturday: Lightning at Predators (Stadium Series game), 7:30 p.m., TNT    Tuesday: Lightning vs. Senators, 7 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   Thursday: Lightning vs. Penguins, 7 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   March 4: Lightning vs. Red Wings, 7 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   March 6: Lightning at Blackhawks, 7 p.m., Bally Sports Sun    March 8: Lightning at Jets, 8 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   March 10: Lightning at Flames, 9 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   March 12: Lightning at Oilers, 10 p.m., Bally Sports Sun    March 13: Lightning at Canucks, 10 p.m., Bally Sports Sun   March 16: Lightning at Kraken, 10 p.m., TNT  Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard. Did someone forward this to you? Get Lightning Strikes in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. Contact us Privacy policy Terms, conditions & copyright Standard of accuracy © 2022 • All Rights Reserved Tampa Bay Times • 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, add custserv@elist.tampabay.com to your address book. You are receiving this email because you signed up for the "Lightning Strikes" newsletter from the Tampa Bay Times. If you’d prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe from this email.