The 2025-26 NHL regular season begins Oct. 7. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Last season: 47-27-8; second in Atlantic Division, lost to Florida Panthers in Eastern Conference First Round

Coach: Jon Cooper (14th season)

Biggest challenge

The easy answer is the Florida Panthers. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions have eliminated them in the Eastern Conference First Round each of the past two seasons. Tampa Bay had home-ice advantage last season but was banged up at a time when Florida was getting healthy. So yes, the Lightning's biggest challenge might very well be getting past their in-state rival, just as the Panthers' biggest challenge a few years ago was getting past theirs. But as

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