The state of Florida is recovering after Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday night. There was plenty of devastation and that has forced Saturday night’s Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning game to be postponed. News of the schedule change came of Thursday afternoon via the league’s social media pages. A makeup date will be scheduled at a later time.
Saturday’s @Canes at @TBLightning game postponed. https://t.co/XopJgtvGmF pic.twitter.com/uHWkzb3o6U
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 10, 2024
Saturday’s Game Between Hurricanes-Lightning Postponed
Milton has already caused the Lightning to alter their preparation for the start of the season. The team and much of their family members made the trip to Raleigh, North Carolina earlier in the week to avoid the storm. Tampa Bay left town on Monday and have been in North Carolina for most of the week.
The storm has made plenty of Florida-based teams change their plans. We saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to leave early for their game against the New Orleans Saints.
Other teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and a number of college football games were also affected by Milton. Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg had its roof ripped off by the hurricane as well.
What It Means
The NHL made the right call in moving Saturday night’s game to a different date. There’s too much uncertainty regarding public safety to be hosting a hockey game. The Lightning are next schedule to host the Vancouver Canucks at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15. However, there may still be some uncertainty on if that game will also have to be rescheduled.
Milton has not only just affected the Lightning and the Hurricanes. The Florida Panthers called off Champions Ring Ceremony, scheduled for Monday at Amerant Bank Arena due to the impending storm. Florida did play its home-opener against the Boston Bruins and safely made it to Ottawa to play the Senators.
We wish everyone affected by both Helene and Milton all the best.
Main photo by: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
