The Tampa Bay Lightning have postponed their 2024-25 home opener due to Hurricane Milton. The Lightning were scheduled to play the Carolina Hurricanes at Amalie Arena on Saturday night, but that game has been moved to a later date.
On Thursday afternoon, the NHL announced that the game between the Lightning and Hurricanes would be postponed as the city recovers from Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday night. A makeup date for the game will be announced later.
The Lightning will be in Raleigh, North Carolina, for their regularly scheduled season opener against the Hurricanes on Friday night. The team left Tampa on Monday night in anticipation of Hurricane Milton.
This is now the third time in the last few weeks that the Lightning have had to postpone or cancel a game due to hurricanes. Tampa originally postponed a preseason game against the Nashville Predators due to Hurricane Helene, and the makeup date was slated for Monday night.
With Hurricane Milton bearing down on the region, that game was canceled in order to allow the Lightning to leave town early.
The Lightning weren’t the only team that had travel plans affected by the hurricane. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers left for New Orleans on Tuesday, well ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Saints. Further north, the Jacksonville Jaguars had their flight to London delayed, although that game is still scheduled to take place on Sunday morning.
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s highly anticipated home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes has been postponed due to ongoing recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. The decision to postpone the game was made in light of the devastation caused by the hurricane, which has left many residents in the Tampa Bay area without power, water, and other essential services.
The Lightning organization, in collaboration with local authorities and emergency response teams, made the difficult decision to postpone the game in order to prioritize the safety and well-being of the community. The team’s thoughts are with those affected by the hurricane, and they are committed to supporting recovery efforts in any way they can.
Fans who were looking forward to attending the home opener are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on when the game will be rescheduled. The Lightning organization is working diligently to ensure that the game can be played at a later date that is safe for players, staff, and fans alike.
In the meantime, the Lightning are encouraging fans to support relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Milton. Donations to local charities and organizations providing aid to those in need are greatly appreciated and will make a meaningful impact on the recovery process.
Despite the disappointment of the postponed home opener, the Lightning remain focused on their upcoming games and are determined to make a strong start to the season. The team is grateful for the support of their fans and looks forward to returning to the ice as soon as it is safe to do so.
In conclusion, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes has been postponed due to Hurricane Milton recovery efforts. The team is prioritizing the safety and well-being of the community and is committed to supporting relief efforts in any way they can. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on when the game will be rescheduled and to support local relief efforts in the meantime.
