/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QVI3OCMPKVDSFA27H6YCPIVCLI.JPG "Ross Colton certainly closed out last season on a high note, scoring the lone goal against the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup clincher.")
What’s in store for the league this season? Our staff has thoughts.
Lightning have a shot at the Stanley Cup if …
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/D6ITS7HFOZCHVMKGSMI73AWEJU.JPG "Will Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy be as dominant as he was last season?")
Eduardo A. Encina, beat writer: No. 88 is between the pipes
Mari Faiello, staff writer: Avoid burnout, stay healthy
John Romano, sports columnist: Bud Lite keeps Nikita Kucherov happy
Frank Pastor, assistant sports editor: Andrei Vasilevskiy stays healthy, fresh
Biggest threat to the Lightning’s Stanley Cup hopes?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/G3GGXK74N5CDFIPRGV6XOUQJWA.JPG "The Lightning celebrate as they beat the Islanders 1-0 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup semifinals in June.")
Encina: Islanders
Faiello: Islanders
Romano: Panthers
Pastor: Islanders
Which team will be the biggest surprise?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/B4D245KRUJBA4O3IPBTPWOCSWI.jpg "The expansion Seattle Kraken start their inaugural season.")
Encina: Kraken
Faiello: Kraken
Romano: Flyers
Pastor: Blackhawks
Which team will be the biggest disappointment?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3KDFGKCPCTNGSP7GX53LL2BVZY.jpg "Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette, top center, looks on during a preseason game.")
Encina: Capitals
Faiello: Maple Leafs
Romano: Golden Knights
Pastor: Canadiens
Which team will win the Atlantic Division?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/YWDDKLNVZ5GJXPN2H2PIP4263A.JPG "Lightning center Brayden Point (21) scores, beating Panthers goaltender Spencer Knight during Game 6 of the first-round playoffs last season.")
Encina: Lightning
Faiello: Lightning
Romano: Panthers
Pastor: Lightning
Which team will win the Eastern Conference?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KXZI47YJWNFILAZQ65BE35FK4M.jpg "Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91), right, carries the Prince of Wales Trophy to the locker room moments after the team beat the Islanders last postseason.")
Encina: Lightning
Faiello: Lightning
Romano: Panthers
Pastor: Lightning
Which team will not advance to the postseason?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/NNE4GDRPAFBOLMHTCCR4LQBYMU.JPG "Montreal players look on as the Lightning celebrate their 1-0 victory to win the Stanley Cup in July.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3KMXMNZYE5ATTCL2AYP224QPHU.png "Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene")
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Explore all your optionsEncina: Hurricanes
Faiello: Blue Jackets
Romano: Canadiens
Pastor: Canadiens
Which teams will meet in the Stanley Cup final?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/RBGATGIZMZG7XJMMT5ZDFO3F2Q.JPG "Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) and right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) work to stop Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) during February 2020 game in Tampa.")
Encina: Lightning, Avalanche
Faiello: Lightning, Avalanche
Romano: Panthers, Avalanche
Pastor: Lightning, Golden Knights
Which team will win the Stanley Cup?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/HVSVHKD7JFAJZO2TGVBHEVRPTM.JPG "Lightning left wing Pat Maroon (14) skates with the Stanley Cup, his third in a row.")
Encina: Lightning
Faiello: Lightning
Romano: Panthers
Pastor: Lightning
Who will be the most outstanding player for the Lightning?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VYBAMH7RBNENZDLNIWUWHTS5GU.JPG "Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman is healthy again and likely to be a usual powerhouse in the lineup.")
Encina: Andrei Vasilevskiy
Faiello: Victor Hedman
Romano: Brayden Point
Pastor: Andrei Vasilevskiy
Who will be the breakout star for the Lightning?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ENTF3EFLYVH77KQ74E3KA2TVVA.jpg "Lightning right wing Mathieu Joseph will get increased ice time this season.")
Encina: Ross Colton
Faiello: Mathieu Joseph
Romano: Mathieu Joseph
Pastor: Mathieu Joseph
• • •
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/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/fef12688-995d-4e3b-8464-51976b523173.png "Frank Pastor - Assistant Editor, Sports")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/eb37a45b-a545-427b-a048-a4eed8cf9584.png "Eduardo A. Encina - Lightning Reporter")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/21b75d52-4a18-452e-a6a4-f4d5e582e31e.jpg "Mari Faiello - Engagement Producer")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/6de083be-4c2d-44bd-9176-fb3e891c68a4.png "John Romano - Sports Columnist")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/FqbEa-kdOOBY8_2bQhvLkVmkM7o=/1200x675/filters:focal(1415x1125:1425x1115)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PKO2VLX3IRAM5GXNSL3OOQKZ34.jpg "How Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning got payback against the Dallas Stars")
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/www.tampabay.com/resizer/ONZBUV02S-DtWg0y6O4U3nT5gvw=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6TI3F757HAGBRX5WAOQMGAAFHM.jpg "Struggling Lightning get thumped by Stars, lose fourth in a row")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/84tUiu7UJEeV5ZL6yfFi2dMMMkE=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/R7EQXQABDJE6XGUW3RO7MMPACI.jpg "After beating the Penguins, 4 things the Lightning can build on")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/IdcpBaWn18CRzVKruYkK54-hCbM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4E2HLXT7CVBXLM74OIFQESQRIU.jpg "December is a crucial month to separate from the pack for Lightning")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/aFptwRPXFqk9cm8m7em7HupF9IM=/1200x675/filters:focal(1085x695:1095x685)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5FBUHAAD2NAMNIJWS6FQSOOI2Q.jpg "Vasilevskiy, Kucherov help Lightning shut out Stars, end 4-game skid")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/pGbhu_ZjN-Jk8v5IoAhPsJu2Glg=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LVY5S2DTEVHKHGLHHAUNRAUIAM.jpg "How Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy has started to find his old self")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/AD_okH95mniMG_WSXiKkO4zfUII=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BBT6NY5GB2XKQVS3LFOARRRPEQ.jpg "Lightning get back to work after ugly loss in Dallas")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/s27iqg0Ank7GvBjz1vbU52xFtTg=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OKUU5WJ3LNEGBBRLJ6TUWIJNG4.JPG "Bucs ran out of linebackers but still had a few secret weapons")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OD3XWKLQ4RDD3OIAM2EVKO6GBA.jpg "Where will Lightning’s Conor Sheary fit in upon his return?")