Tampa Bay Lightning 2014-15: A Month-by-Month Look at the Upcoming Schedule

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

November

Hopefully this coming November won’t be the disastrous month it proved to be last year with Steven Stamkos’ gut-wrenching leg injury.  If October starts the season off with a bang for the Lightning, as we all hope it does, then November 2014, if injury and calamity free, could be the most dominating month for the Bolts, as last year threatened to be before Stamkos went down.

A month like that could seriously help Tampa Bay take hold at the top of the Eastern Conference standings (like last year) and remain there, hopefully, going into the New Year.

The Bolts will need to take full advantage of October and November when they can because it gets a lot tougher in December and throughout 2015.

And you mustn’t forget that November also marks the first time the Lightning faces Martin St. Louis, and his new team, the New York Rangers, since the infamous trade – on two dates:  Nov. 17 at Madison Square Garden, and on Nov. 26 (fitting, right?) at the Forum.

Both early matchups, especially the one at the Forum, which I plan on attending, should be something to behold.  Interested in seeing how the Tampa crowd welcomes our somewhat fallen hero.

November definitely has a leg-up on October on the difficulty scale.  The Bolts have two rather challenging three-game road trips, against challenging opponents:  Columbus, Detroit, and Chicago starting on Nov. 9, followed by that first Rangers game on Nov. 17; a back-to-back against the New York Islanders the following day; and wrapping up in Toronto on Nov. 20 against the Maple Leafs.

The Bolts also face an always tough San Jose Sharks team, at home, on Nov 13.  This month should show the validity of the Lightning’s cause early if they mean to be up in the mix before Christmas break.

Home/Away Breakdowns:  7/6; Total Games:  13

Toughest Matchups:  Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers

Key Facts:  two three-game road trips; two back-to-backs; 26 possible points

Month Difficulty:  Moderate-to-hard