The Tampa Bay Lightning opened the new NHL season at Amalie Arena with a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators. The game unfolded with Tampa Bay taking a 1-0 lead after the first period, then trading goals in the second before pulling away with a strong final stanza to seal the win.
Tampa Bay received multiple scoring highlights from Nikita Kucherov, who found the net twice, alongside two goals from Nick Paul and a tally from Brandon Hagel. A veteran presence on the blue line, Mikhail Sergachev, contributed an assist to help fuel the attack, while Andrei Vasilevskiy did not dress due to injury, leaving the crease to his teammates for the night.
On the Nashville side, Ryan O’Reilly, Juuso Pärssinen and Tommy Novak each found the back of the net to keep the game competitive, with Yakov Trenin testing the goalie throughout the contest but unable to convert for a scoring column despite several looks. The balance of the Predators’ lineup showed resilience in stretches, but the home squad seized momentum in key moments, particularly in the third period, to secure the win.
Across the league, other scheduled games included the Vegas Golden Knights visiting the Seattle Kraken at a later time and the Pittsburgh Penguins facing the Chicago Blackhawks in a separate late afternoon tilt. The league-wide schedule signals a packed start to a season that promises fast-paced action and renewed drama across all divisions.
This season features a packed slate of 1,312 regular-season games, with the schedule stretching into April as teams chase a playoff berth and the race to the Stanley Cup begins anew. The 2023 champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, are part of the ongoing narrative as teams build toward playoff contention and fans look for breakout performances from both veterans and newcomers alike.
Historically, Kucherov has been recognized among the top Russian players in the NHL by major hockey publications, with several outlets highlighting his impact and consistency at the highest level of the sport. The season’s opening, marked by strong performances and marquee matchups, continues to set the stage for what could be a memorable run for many clubs across North America.