[Times photo: Dirk Shadd]
	On June 7, 2004, the Lightning won the Stanley Cup. Then came the lockout and a canceled season. Tonight, the most unusual and, perhaps, difficult defense in NHL history finally begins. Story

A long time coming
If it seems like forever since the stars aligned and the Lightning won it all, well ...

Embracing the Stanley Cup
Lightning players recount the experience of savoring a championship.

John Romano
Gimme five
Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio:

Lightning
Coaches at a glance
A look at the names behind the bench.

Meet the Lightning
The names and numbers of the defending champs.

Five games to watch
Our list begins with the home-opener vs. Carolina.

Grahame's task: Put a stop to doubts - and pucks
Easy job, really.

Lightning fans show loyalty
TAMPA - Lightning president Ron Campbell couldn't come up with the words to describe the support bay area fans have given his hockey team.

Radio/TV
Changes are in the air, but it's the same ol' Chief
Sun Sports' Lightning analyst Bobby "The Chief" Taylor always wondered what it would be like to be retired.

The NHL
Eastern team capsules
The Ottawa Senators are the beast in the East.

Western team capsules
Calgary could be the champ this time around.

Pick a number, any number
Ah, the old days of the Western Conference. You could whip out a pen and write down the top three teams: Colorado, Detroit, Dallas.

Thrashers emerge as challenger
Think back a few seasons. Back when the Hurricanes were in the Stanley Cup final and the Capitals had Jaromir Jagr and the Panthers were still the biggest pains in the side of the Lightning.