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Lightning will raise Stanley Cup banner at home opener

The NHL announces start times for all 2021-22 games, including Tampa Bay’s opener Oct. 12 against Pittsburgh.
 
Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (71) and Lightning center Yanni Gourde (37) face off at the start of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final in July at Amalie Arena.
Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (71) and Lightning center Yanni Gourde (37) face off at the start of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final in July at Amalie Arena. [ IVY CEBALLO | Times ]
Published Aug. 13, 2021|Updated Aug. 13, 2021

The Lightning will raise their Stanley Cup championship banner before their regular-season opener against the Penguins on Oct. 12 at Amalie Arena. Start time is 7:30 p.m.

The game is part of a doubleheader that will kick off the 2021-22 NHL season. The expansion Kraken will play the Golden Knights in the second game in Las Vegas.

The NHL on Friday released start times for all 82 regular-season games for the Lightning and the 31 other teams.

The schedule includes an Olympic break from Feb. 2-22. However, a final decision has not been reached regarding NHL participation in the Games in Beijing.

“Talks remain ongoing,” the league said.

Related: Sonya Bryson-Kirksey released from hospital following COVID battle

If NHL players do not participate, the league will switch to a revised schedule that “to the greatest extent possible, will adopt the dates and games reflected in the schedule contemplating Olympic participation,” the league said.

Memo sent to league personnel regarding vaccination requirements

The NHL sent a memo to league personnel updating vaccination requirements for its teams, Canada’s Sportsnet network reported.

“Any person whose job, role, position or access entails or entitles them to have personal interactions (within 12 feet) with Club Hockey Operations personnel (including Players) are required to be Fully Vaccinated,” the memo says, according to the report.

Contact Mari Faiello at mfaiello@tampabay.com. Follow @faiello_mari.

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