Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Time, TV and how to watch

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning is set for Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The game takes place at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Local TV is listed as WHDT-TV, with streaming options noted by Fubo.

The matchup closes a home-and-home set to end the preseason. Tampa Bay enters hot with a 5-0-0 mark. Florida is 2-3-0 and looking for a reset before opening night.

Panthers vs Lightning viewing guide, lineup context, and key numbers

Tune-in details show a 7:00 p.m. ET puck drop in Tampa. WHDT-TV is listed for broadcast carriage. Fubo lists a stream entry for viewers who prefer an OTT option. Availability can vary by market. Always check your local listings.

Tampa Bay arrives unbeaten at 5-0-0. The Lightning lead their division and ride a five-game win streak. Mitchell Chaffee tops the club with three points. Conor Geekie leads in helpers with two. Steven Santini has a team-high 12 penalty minutes. Jonas Johansson is 1-0-0.

Florida is 2-3-0. Jack Studnicka leads the Panthers with four points, including three goals. Ben Harpur has three points. Josh Lopina has seven penalty minutes. Daniil Tarasov is 1-0-0 in net.

Injury reports shape the night. For Tampa Bay, Nick Paul is out with an upper-body issue following surgery and is expected back in early November. For Florida, Tomas Nosek is out long-term with a knee injury. Matthew Tkachuk is out until December. Captain Aleksander Barkov is sidelined after right knee surgery with a 7–9 month timeline.

The schedule tightens from here. Tampa Bay hosts Florida tonight and visits Sunrise on Saturday, October 4. Florida flips the order: at Tampa tonight, then home on Saturday.

What this preseason test means heading into Week 1

Preseason records do not carry over. But habits do. Tampa Bay’s five wins reflect pace, forecheck pressure, and cleaner transitions. Expect the Lightning to test depth wingers and late-camp defenders while preserving top-six rhythm.

Florida’s focus is clarity without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. Florida needs controlled exits and second-chance looks from the middle six. Special-teams reps are key. Clean entries and low-to-high puck movement will help cover missing star production.

Coaches often start with near-regular lines, then rotate prospects. Third-pair minutes and PK roles are usually decided this week. Tonight offers the last home dress rehearsal for Tampa Bay and a measuring stick for Florida’s next-man-up plan.

Bottom line: Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning starts at 7:00 p.m. ET in Tampa. TV is listed as WHDT-TV, with Fubo showing a stream option. Expect tempo, special-teams tinkering, and roster decisions to headline the night.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What time and channel is Panthers vs Lightning?

It starts at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 2, 2025. WHDT-TV is listed for television coverage. Check local listings for confirmation.

Q2: Is there a Panthers vs Lightning livestream?

Fubo lists the game for streaming. Availability depends on your location and rights in your market.

Q3: Who is out injured for both teams?

Lightning: Nick Paul (upper-body) is out until early November. Panthers: Tomas Nosek (knee) out long-term; Matthew Tkachuk (groin) out until December; Aleksander Barkov (knee) out 7–9 months.

Q4: What are the current preseason records?

Tampa Bay is 5-0-0 with a five-game win streak. Florida is 2-3-0 after a recent loss.

Q5: When do they play again?

They meet again on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida.