Lightning Prepare for Stadium Series Game at Raymond James Stadium

Players have mixed reviews on the quality of the ice, but the team is focused on getting the two points against division rivals.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:31pm

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The Tampa Bay Lightning took to the ice under the climate-controlled tent at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday to prepare for their Stadium Series game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. While some players, like head coach Jon Cooper, were enthralled by the unique atmosphere, others like Nikita Kucherov were critical of the ice conditions, calling it "terrible." The NHL's ice crew worked to patch up a small hole in the ice, and the league said they would continue to monitor and improve the ice quality before the game. Despite the spectacle, the Lightning know the importance of getting the two points against their division rivals, especially with the Boston Bruins close behind them in the standings.

Why it matters

The Stadium Series game is a rare outdoor event for the Tampa Bay area, and the Lightning are eager to put on a show for their fans. However, the quality of the ice surface is a major concern, as poor conditions could lead to player injuries and affect the quality of play. The game also has major playoff implications, as the Lightning and Bruins are battling for position atop the Atlantic Division.

The details

The climate-controlled tent used to protect the ice sheet is anything but a normal hockey rink, and the 10-hour process to dismantle the tent and expose the ice to the elements was scheduled to begin at midnight on Sunday. While Lightning coach Jon Cooper was enthralled by the unique atmosphere, calling it "super cool," at least one player, Nikita Kucherov, was critical of the ice quality, saying it was "terrible" and that "you can't do Formula 1 in the [expletive] dirt." Defenseman J.J. Moser described the ice as "a little slow" and "a little chippy," while Ryan McDonagh thought the ice was "great." The NHL's ice crew worked to patch up a small hole in the ice during the Lightning's practice, and the league said they would continue to monitor and improve the ice quality before the game.

  • The 10-hour dismantling process to expose the ice to the elements was scheduled to begin at midnight on Sunday.
  • The ice is expected to be exposed to the elements by late morning on Sunday, although insulated tarps will seal in the cold on the sheet.

The players

Jon Cooper

The head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who was enthralled by the unique atmosphere of the Stadium Series game.

Nikita Kucherov

A right wing for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who was critical of the ice quality, calling it "terrible."

J.J. Moser

A defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who described the ice as "a little slow" and "a little chippy."

Ryan McDonagh

A defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who thought the ice was "great" and said the league has done this many times before and knows what they're doing.

Derek King

The NHL's vice president of facilities and operations, who said the league would continue to work to improve the ice quality before the game.

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What they’re saying

“It felt like you were in a rural town in the north somewhere playing at a youth hockey rink. That's honestly how it felt. And it was actually super cool, that low ceiling. … We were sitting around talking to the team, and I'm like, 'I can't believe this roof is going to come off and we're going to be in the open air with all these people there.'”

— Jon Cooper, Head Coach, Tampa Bay Lightning (Tampa Bay Times)

“Hopefully nobody gets hurt and everybody stays healthy. It's fun, but the ice, man, come on. You can't do Formula 1 in the [expletive] dirt, you know?”

— Nikita Kucherov, Right Wing, Tampa Bay Lightning (Tampa Bay Times)

“It was a little chippy. It had a couple of holes. But I guess you can't really expect too much from that. It's just about adjusting.”

— J.J. Moser, Defenseman, Tampa Bay Lightning (Tampa Bay Times)

What’s next

The NHL's ice crew will continue to monitor and improve the ice quality before the Stadium Series game on Sunday. The league will also meet with the teams after the practice to get their feedback and make any necessary adjustments.

The takeaway

The Tampa Bay Lightning are excited to play in the rare outdoor game in their home market, but the quality of the ice surface is a major concern. The team and the league are working to ensure the best possible playing conditions, but the game also has major playoff implications as the Lightning battle the Boston Bruins for position atop the Atlantic Division.