{"id":139526,"date":"2026-02-01T10:27:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T10:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/139526\/"},"modified":"2026-02-01T10:27:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T10:27:37","slug":"the-huge-update-tampa-bay-needed-boost-their-stadium-series-excitement-even-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/139526\/","title":{"rendered":"The huge update Tampa Bay needed boost their Stadium Series excitement even more"},"content":{"rendered":"

The captain is set to steer the ship! Tampa Bay Lightning head coach, Jon Cooper on Saturday<\/a> gave fans some news they\u2019ve been waiting to hear \u2013 Tampa captain, Victor Hedman<\/a> is slated to make his long-awaited return from the injured list and hit the ice on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in the NHL\u2019s Stadium Series game against the Bruins.<\/p>\n

Injury update: @TBLightning<\/a> coach Jon Cooper on #GoBolts<\/a> captain Victor Hedman and tomorrow\u2019s Stadium Series game: \u201cBarring him coming in and saying no, which I think is extremely doubtful, he\u2019ll most likely be in tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The captain could make his return. pic.twitter.com\/uMuX4vKg6p<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Benjamin Pierce (@BenjaminJReport) January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Hedman was sidelined December 11 with an elbow injury that required surgery. His status has been in question as he practiced with the team throughout the last week, even up until Friday when he spoke with ESPN\u2019s Brian Custer in an interview. \u201cHopefully super high\u201d Hedman said of his chances to be on the ice on Sunday. \u201c(I\u2019ll) go through practice tomorrow (Saturday) and we\u2019ll see from there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman joined @BCusterTV<\/a> to look ahead to the Stadium Series from Raymond James Stadium \ud83c\udf34 pic.twitter.com\/UcqMuC3ojT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

It’s apparent that practice went well for the lefty shooter. As Cooper hinted at Saturday, things are becoming more clear and a storm is brewing as the Lightning are slated to get their captain back in time for their biggest game of the year.<\/p>\n

So far this year Hedman has skated in 18 games. He has 12 assists and 12 points.<\/p>\n

When asked about if he ever would have thought he\u2019d be playing an NHL game in an NFL Stadium, Hedman said there was no shot as he exclaimed his excitement.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo chance. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and obviously super grateful to be a part of it, he said. Just to see Raymond James, 70,000 people and how much hockey has grown in the state of Florida, it\u2019s been remarkable,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re all super excited, I\u2019m sure the fans are as well. We\u2019re ready to go,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman joined @BCusterTV<\/a> to look ahead to the Stadium Series from Raymond James Stadium \ud83c\udf34 pic.twitter.com\/UcqMuC3ojT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

And ready to go includes Hedman as his long-awaited stint on the injured list is slated to end.<\/p>\n

Puck drops at 6:30PM EST on Sunday and it could be a very historic snowy Sunday in Tampa as well.<\/p>\n