Opening Night Is Here - Lightning vs. Rangers Preview | Lightning Power Lunch - October 1, 2026

The wait is over. Opening Night has arrived for the Tampa Bay Lightning as they begin the 2026-27 season at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers. On today's episode of Lightning Power Lunch, Dave Mishkin and Greg Linnelli break down the season opener, discuss the Lightning's lineup decisions, and examine what fans should watch for as the quest for another playoff run begins.

The guys discuss the final opening-night lineup, including Charle-Édouard D'Astous' role alongside Victor Hedman, Conor Geekie's opportunity on the third line, and why Ilya Mikheyev gets the first shot riding shotgun with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. Plus, thoughts on Hedman's reduced power play role, his offseason weight loss transformation, and how the Lightning plan to utilize their newfound depth on defense.

Later, Alex Faust, radio voice of the New York Rangers, joins the show to discuss the Rangers' offseason overhaul, why Oliver Bjorkstrand, Pavel Dorofeyev, and several new additions could make New York a playoff contender, and what the Lightning can expect from a Rangers team eager to improve on last season's disappointing finish.

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Chapters

00:00 Opening Night excitement and Mish's unexpected broadcasting location at MSG

03:45 Expectations for the Lightning season and players to watch

06:40 Breaking down Tampa Bay's opening-night lineup

10:45 Charle-Édouard D'Astous with Victor Hedman and the defensive rotation

15:20 Managing the Lightning's blue-line depth over an 84-game season

19:40 Jon Cooper on Victor Hedman's reduced power-play role