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Eleven Lightning games to be televised nationally on ESPN networks, TNT

Tampa Bay’s national TV slate includes the season opener, as well as an outdoor game in Nashville.
 
Lightning left wing Pat Maroon skates with the Stanley Cup following Tampa Bay's Game 5 win over the Montreal Canadiens in July at Amalie Arena.
Lightning left wing Pat Maroon skates with the Stanley Cup following Tampa Bay's Game 5 win over the Montreal Canadiens in July at Amalie Arena. [ IVY CEBALLO | Times ]
Published Sept. 16, 2021|Updated Sept. 16, 2021

TAMPA — Eleven Lightning games will be televised nationally this season on ESPN or TNT, the NHL’s new U.S. television rights-holders.

ESPN will carry the Oct. 12 regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins as the first half of a doubleheader, one of three Lightning games the network will broadcast nationally on its flagship channel.

Three other games will be shown exclusively on subscription services ESPN+ and Hulu, including a Dec. 28 home game against the Montreal Canadiens, who the Lightning defeated in last season’s Stanley Cup final.

TNT will broadcast six Lightning games, including Tampa Bay’s outdoor Stadium Series game against the Nashville Predators Feb. 26 at Nissan Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

TNT also will show the Lightning’s first trip to Seattle to face the expansion Kraken on March 16, as well as a trip to Long Island to face the New York Islanders— Tampa Bay’s Cup semifinal opponent — on March 27.

Here’s the complete schedule:

Oct. 12 vs. Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m, ESPN

Nov. 30 at St. Louis, 8, ESPN+/Hulu

Dec. 28 vs. Montreal, 7, ESPN+/Hulu

Feb. 23 vs. Edmonton, 7:30, TNT

Feb. 26 at Nashville, 7:30, TNT (Stadium Series)

Mar. 16 at Seattle, 10, TNT

Mar. 27 at N.Y. Islanders, 2, TNT

Mar. 29 vs. Carolina, 7, ESPN+/Hulu

April 12 at Dallas, 9:30, ESPN

April 6 at Washington, 7:30, TNT

April 21 vs. Toronto, 8 p.m., ESPN

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