Lightning: Lightning has shot at fast start

With the rivalry between the Lightning and Panthers even hotter after Florida hired former Tampa Bay general manager Rick Dudley, the league decided a game between the teams would be a great way to start the season.

"The NHL recognized the minute Rick Dudley was hired there, the burner was turned up," Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said. "I think it's going to be even more intense this season, and I don't think that's lost on our players."

But the Oct. 10 game at Sunrise is only the beginning for a team that is determined to get off to a good start, and the 82-game schedule released Wednesday appears to give the Lightning a chance to do just that.

After Florida, Tampa Bay opens at home Oct. 12 against the Hurricanes, followed by games against the Thrashers, Penguins, Rangers and Blue Jackets. Only Stanley Cup finalist Carolina was above .500 last season, and those teams' combined record was 162-243-57-30.

The Lightning could make immediate noise in the Southeast Division with six of its first 11 games against either division-champ Carolina, Atlanta, Florida or Washington.

"We should be a team that looks to win our division," Feaster said. "It would be a disappointment if that was not our mindset."

One stumbling block: Nine of the Lightning's first 13 games are on the road. Feaster considers it an opportunity.

"If you want to be a playoff team and earn respect in the league, you have to win on the road," he said.

Also noteworthy:

Of 41 home games, 24 will be played on either Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights.

No home games conflict with Bucs home games.

The Lightning continues its New Year's Eve tradition with a 7 p.m. home game against the Senators.

Tampa Bay faces Southeast teams five times each. It plays other Eastern Conference teams four times each, and Western teams once or twice each.

All teams visit the Ice Palace except the Blue Jackets, Blues, Flames and Stars. The Lightning does not play at Anaheim, Colorado, Edmonton or Vancouver.

Tampa Bay plays 11 sets of back-to-back games, two fewer than last season.

It will take a while before the Lightning sees the Panthers at the Ice Palace on Feb. 27. By then the teams will have played three times at National Car Rental Center.

Feaster said he doesn't expect the intensity to wane. It certainly didn't when AHL Hershey, with Feaster as general manager, played arch-rival Philadelphia.

Feaster joked he didn't mind losing 68 games during a season if he beat the Phantoms in the other 12. He modified that line talking of the Panthers.

"I'm not overly concerned about the other 77 (games), but by gosh I want those five," he said. "Hey, that's a rivalry for a lot of reasons. These are games we want to win in a big way."

ARBITRATION COMING: The Lightning could go through as many as five arbitration hearings next month.

The team has seven players eligible for the process that is available to those with at least five years pro experience, but contract negotiations with left wings Fredrik Modin and Chris Dingman appear to be progressing.

Negotiations with forward Vinny Prospal, right wings Andre Roy and Shane Willis and defensemen Pavel Kubina and Dan Boyle have been more problematic.

Players have until Monday to file, though contracts can be signed any time before the hearings in Toronto.

"I'm not excited about it," said Feaster, who declined comment on specific players. "At the same time, I do believe not one of our guys will hear something said in front of an arbitrator they never heard before. And the good news is the player will be there for the start of training camp."

Five must-see games

OCT. 12, HURRICANES: The Lightning opens its home season against the defending Southeast and Eastern Conference champions. Ron Francis, Jeff O'Neill and, maybe, Kevin Weekes.

NOV. 8, PENGUINS: Take any chance you can to watch Mario Lemieux. The season will be young, meaning there is a good chance he will be in the lineup.

JAN. 7, RED WINGS: The Lightning probably won't appreciate the Ice Palace turning red for the defending Stanley Cup champions, but the clash of fans always makes for an energized arena.

MARCH 7, AVALANCHE: Colorado hasn't been to Tampa since Dec. 8, 2000. A possible matchup between goalies Patrick Roy and Nikolai Khabibulin might be worth the wait.

APRIL 4, FLYERS: The final home game of the season means a playoff spot. Hey, it could happen.

-- Compiled by Damian Cristodero.