When the Tampa Bay Lightning laced up their skates under a climate-controlled tent ahead of Sunday’s Stadium Series showdown at Raymond James Stadium, it didn’t exactly scream “65,000 fans and national spotlight.” In fact, it felt more like a scene from a northern small-town rink - low ceilings, tight quarters, and the kind of intimacy that’s rare at the NHL level.
“It felt like you were in a rural town in the north somewhere playing at a youth hockey rink,” head coach Jon Cooper said. “It was actually super cool.”
That’s the kind of prelude you don’t usually get before one of the league’s marquee events. But that’s the charm of outdoor hockey - it’s about more than just the spectacle.
It’s about the roots of the game, and Cooper made sure his team soaked it all in.
The tent, of course, isn’t just for aesthetics. It’s part of a massive logistical effort to build and preserve a playable sheet of ice in Florida’s unpredictable winter climate.
The NHL’s ice crew will begin dismantling the structure at midnight, with the ice fully exposed to the elements by Sunday morning. Insulated tarps will keep the surface cold, but once the tent comes off, it’s game on - in every sense.
Not everything went off without a hitch during Saturday’s practice. Cooper pointed out a small hole in the ice between the blue lines, but the league’s crew was quick to patch it. Still, not everyone was thrilled with the conditions.
Nikita Kucherov, never one to mince words and famously particular about the details of the game, didn’t hold back. “The ice, man, come on,” he said.
“You can’t do Formula 1 in the f---ing dirt.” His concern was less about aesthetics and more about safety - and he’s got a point.
When the ice is chippy or inconsistent, it’s not just about puck bounces; it’s about staying healthy.
Defenseman J.J. Moser was a bit more measured in his assessment.
“It was a little chippy,” he said. “Had a couple of holes.
But I guess you can’t really expect too much from that.” His approach?
Adjust and adapt. “You probably want to start a little simpler into the game,” he added.
“No crazy behind-the-back drop passes right away.”
That’s the mindset you need in a game like this - especially when the ice is still a work in progress. Saturday was the first time anyone had skated on it, and the NHL plans to continue tweaking the surface based on team feedback. According to Derek King, the league’s VP of facilities and operations, they’re monitoring everything closely, even preparing for the possibility that the sheet might need to be warmed - not cooled - if the temperature drops too low.
Despite the quirks, veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh - who’s set to play in his sixth outdoor game, the most of any player involved - gave the ice a thumbs-up. “There were a couple holes, obviously to be expected,” he said, “but I thought it was great.
The boards seemed pretty normal, and the glass, too. These guys, the league, have done this so many times, so they know what they’re doing.”
The NHL has indeed turned these events into something of a science, but it’s still a special moment for the Lightning. This is their first outdoor game, and it’s been a long time coming.
Cooper made sure everyone in the organization got a piece of it. Injured players like Brayden Point, Emil Lilleberg, and Charle-Edouard D’Astous took the ice for practice, even though they won’t suit up Sunday.
Even emergency backup goalie Kyle Konin joined the skate.
“It was like hockey-school practice,” Cooper said with a grin. “We had 10 defensemen out there.”
The reality, though, is only 20 players will dress for the game. “You want to make sure everybody’s a part of it, and they feel a part of it,” he added.
That’s the kind of culture that’s helped Tampa Bay become one of the league’s model franchises.
One player who could make his long-awaited return Sunday is Victor Hedman. The star defenseman has been out since Dec. 9 with an elbow injury, missing 34 of the last 37 games. But Feb. 1 was always the target - not just for the Stadium Series, but also to get back in game shape ahead of representing Sweden in the upcoming Winter Olympics.
After Saturday’s practice, Hedman got the traditional stick-tap salute in the middle of the stretch circle - a sign that his teammates are ready for his return. Cooper didn’t make it official, but came pretty close.
“Barring him coming in (Sunday) and saying no, which I think is extremely doubtful, he’ll most likely be in,” he said. “The country of Sweden can take a huge breath.”
Beyond the spectacle, there’s a lot at stake. Tampa Bay entered the weekend atop the Atlantic Division with 72 points and a .692 point percentage, riding a blistering 16-1-1 stretch.
But the division is relentless. Boston, currently sitting in the second wild-card spot, is 12-2-1 in its last 15.
Sunday marks the first of three divisional games before the Olympic break - a critical stretch that includes matchups with Buffalo and Florida.
“Our division just doesn’t stop winning,” said winger Brandon Hagel. “So there’s not much breathing room.”
And while the Stadium Series brings friends, family, and a whole lot of buzz, the Lightning know what matters most. “We’re gonna treat this game like any other,” Hagel said.
“It’s our home-ice advantage. We want to come in here and do it for our fans as well.”
The lights will be bright, the crowd massive, and the setting unforgettable. But come puck drop, it’s still about two points - and in this division, every single one counts.