The Tampa Bay Lightning hosted the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on Sunday night for the NHL's Stadium Series.
It's the first outdoor game for the Lightning, temps in Tampa were expected to be in the 70s -- usual for this time of year. But coastal Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, on the western side of the Florida peninsula, is currently under a cold-weather advisory and freeze warning. At puck-drop time on Sunday night, the temps had dipped to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates make their entrance to the ice in their NHL Stadium Series matchup against the Boston Bruins on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)The NHL's Stadium Series marks the second outdoor hockey game played in Florida this year. LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, played host to the league's annual Winter Classic on Jan. 2. The New York Rangers defeated the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 5-1 to cap off a weekend of New Year's and NHL festivities.
The 2026 Winter Classic was the first outdoor NHL game ever played in the Sunshine State. Saturday night's Stadium Series matchup counts as the second.
ㅤ
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our BUCS ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected.