Bolts set off on their first multi-game journey

The Bolts are on the move.

The Tampa Bay Lightning embarked on their first extended road trip of the season today, an endeavor that begins with a 1 p.m. ET matinee on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.

After winning Thursday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 at AMALIE Arena, the Lightning are confident heading into their first road trip after several road games.

“I think the most important thing is we just have to keep going,” said forward Nick Paul. “Play just like you do at home. I think we had a good performance here, especially given the current situation, but just keep going, keep the pace, keep the fight.”

After winning the first two games of the season 4-1, Thursday’s victory was a much tougher battle. The Lightning scored two goals in the final 2 minutes, 22 seconds – including Nikita Kucherov’s game-winner with 55 seconds left – to secure a 4-3 victory.

The ability to get wins in different ways could help the Lightning early in the season, Paul said.

“Obviously we don’t want to put ourselves in that (Thursday) situation, but that’s hockey. To see that we can hold on and fight until the end to get two points, that’s great in this group. “Look, we’re not going to give up,” Paul said. “We always have hope in each other, and I mean, that’s what you need to get to the playoffs and have a good run.”

Ottawa has won five of the last seven games between the teams over the past two seasons and has an overall record of 55-50-11 against the Lightning.

Tampa Bay believes they can reverse that trend starting Saturday. The team then plays in Toronto on Monday before concluding the trip with a visit to New Jersey on Tuesday.

“They’re two big teams in our conference, and then we start with Ottawa, which has pretty much had our number for a couple of years,” Bolts forward Mikey Eyssimont said of the trip. “We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Facing the first back-to-back games of the 2024-25 season, the team has focused on recovery and preparation, several players said after Friday’s practice at AMALIE Arena.

“Eat right and stay hydrated, fuel yourself as much as possible,” defender Ryan McDonagh said of the key to back-to-back games. “With the travel involved, it’s hard. Since you’re late, try to get a good night’s sleep and mentally go through your routine. When you arrive on the ice at game time, it gives you a bit of energy and immediately gets you ready for the game.”

Paul also said recovery is important.

“Making sure the body is fueled and hydrated is a big deal. You don’t want to start getting cramps and be dehydrated. It’s hard to catch up, especially when you’re playing back-to-back,” Paul said. “One game is hard enough as it is and takes a lot out of the body, but two games in a row, you just have to make sure you’re ready.”

With a 3-0-0 start, the Lightning have joined six other teams in franchise history in 2024-25 that opened a season with three straight wins.

They will attempt to become the second team to record four straight wins to open a season and are aiming to match the franchise record of six opening victories set by the 2004 Stanley Cup champion Bolts.