Tampa Bay aims to recapture Stanley Cup glory against the same Canadiens team it defeated in 2021, fueled by a thunderous home crowd and Nikita Kucherov’s grit.
TAMPA, Fla. — Thousands of Tampa Bay Lightning fans were locked in at Benchmark International Arena and outside at Thunder Alley for Game 1 of the opening playoff round tonight. The Lightning squaring off against the Montreal Canadiens — the same franchise Tampa Bay defeated to claim its back-to-back Stanley Cup championship in 2021.
The atmosphere both inside and just beyond the arena was electric, with the roar of the crowd audible for blocks.
Charles Rodriguez, a 13-year Army veteran who now lives in Riverview, remembers watching the 2021 championship run from a far less comfortable setting.
“In 2021, believe it or not, I was in Kuwait,” Rodriguez said. “So even in Kuwait in 100-degree weather and all this stuff, I had my little phone on me and I was watching the boys play. But even then that couldn’t stop us. We rooted for Tampa either way. I remember vividly being in Kuwait in the desert essentially and celebrating like I was just right here.”
Head coach Jon Cooper has pointed to home-ice advantage as a significant factor heading into the series, noting that Tampa Bay won 40 games in regulation during the regular season compared to Montreal’s 34.
Rodriguez summed up the fan culture simply.
“It’s literally a religion,” he said. “The hockey community is crazy.”
Forward Nikita Kucherov, No. 86, turned in a standout performance in Game 1 and remained the most frequently cited favorite player among fans surveyed outside the arena.
“Nikita Kucherov,” said Thunder Alley faithful Brennen Madliozzi, when asked to name his favorite player.
For some attendees, it was their first game.
“Exciting, cool, very energetic,” said Tayliz Vazquez, who had never been to the Benchmark International Arena. “Everyone is just a vibe.”
Game 2 of the series is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday as a home game again for the Lightning. Tickets remain available through resale platforms, including SeatGeek and StubHub, with some of the cheaper options listed at approximately $100.