Conor Geekie scored the game-winning goal, and Brandon Hagel added two assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Washington Capitals 3-1 Saturday night. The performance contrasted sharply with their opening-night showing against the New York Rangers, where they were soundly defeated 5-1. Although it was only the second game of the season, the Lightning were determined to show that they were capable of far more than they showed at Madison Square Garden Thursday night.

Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Dorofeyev both scored early Thursday night to set the tone as the New York Rangers downed the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-1. The Lightning failed to build momentum at Madison Square Garden as they struggled to find a rhythm.

The Tampa Bay Lightning released their schedule for the upcoming 2026-27 season on Thursday. The Lightning will open the season on the road Thursday, October 1st, at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers. Then, the Bolts begin the home regular season schedule at Benchmark International Arena on Saturday, October 3rd, against a returning Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.