Tampa Bay Lightning?

Question

On the nhl page for schedules for Jan 15 it says Tampa Bay and
NY Islanders play at noon, it doesnt seem they would play that early on a week day, is that right?

Answer 1

Yes, as this is Martin Luther King day in the US there are many teams that like to use this chance to draw in school kids to watching hockey as well as those who happen to have the day off. In fact there are really 5 early games on that day - only Detroit and San Jose (host cities) are not going early:

Tampa Bay at NY Islanders 12:00 PM
Buffalo at Boston 1:00 PM
Los Angeles at Dallas 4:00 PM
St. Louis at Phoenix 4:00 PM
Calgary at Nashville 6:00 PM
Montreal at Detroit 7:00 PM
Colorado at San Jose 10:00 PM

Answer 2

Some good points made before me but the biggest issue is the lack of understanding of how to manage a cap era team. They knew beforehand that the league would go to a cap and yet they inked huge deals with the core guys. Martin Broduer would have been terrible behind that defense so it wouldnt be fair to judge the new goaltending tandem until they correct the D. Hard to pin a lot of blame on Boyle, he has never been noted as a top defensive defenseman in the first place, his value is in his puckhandling abilities and offensive prowess. They need to improve their front 4 defensive group, Boyle would be well served with a tougher stay at home guy patrolling the blueline. One other issue almost nobody talks about I guees because they have a couple dynamic scorers is their blatant lack of offense. They finished 18th in goal scoring, one ahead of the offensive juggernaut in Minnesota. That wont get it done. Help is on the way with Stamkos but they need to improve their 3rd and 4th lines, the depth on this team is glaringly weak. Last may be a need to look at the coach....Torts is without a doubt one of the great minds in the game but he is also an abrasive person and there should be some concern whether or not he still has this team behind him. It doesnt matter how good the coaching is if the guys in the room are no longer listening to your message. Bottom line is they need a cap guru and an influx of depth especially at the blueline, until they address those issues no amount of desire or any goaltender has a chance to turn this thing around.

Answer 3

A few games are usually played in the afternoon or at noon time in order to be able to set up the arena for a night time game for the NBA teams. Or perhaps it;s due to the local cable TV scheduling. That day is also Martin Luther King Day and is a holiday. It's to enable more kids being at the game also.

Answer 4

They are in fact playing at noon. This is because of the holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr day. A lot of businesses, including the stock market, post office and banks are closed so they are having the game at noon. They are also having a lot of promotions going on for that game, a lot of family packs and so forth.

Answer 5

I can hear New York Islanders games on AM 1130 from here in Mississauga Ontario. I wish it was night though when I could pick up the signal of the Lightning and Islanders game...

Answer 6

Isn't the 15th MLK day this year? The Sabres played early on New Years this year as well, could be a chance to get the family out to watch the game at a decent hour - I know when I take my young boys to the games in the evenings, they need a day or two to catch up on their sleep.

Answer 7

Jan 15 is a holiday,Martin Luther King day. Holiday games are sometimes played early

Answer 8

Usually here if the Thrashers play an afternoon game it is at 2pm, but It being MLK day that is most likely why it is an earlier game, just call the arena to make sure.

Answer 9

Boston Bruins always play an early game on MLK day.
I am usually drunk by 10 am for that one.

Answer 10

The Sabres played a game like that a few years back. I think it was an outreach to schools.