Lightning Sporting Unique Lineup Against Hurricanes

Hockey is officially back. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to play their season-opener against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight (Oct. 11). It should be an incredibly entertaining game, and the Lightning will look to get their campaign started on the right foot.

The Lightning are entering this matchup with a unique lineup, as they are going with seven defensemen and 11 forwards. Normally, clubs dress 12 forwards and six defensemen. 

The Lightning will also have an array of newcomers play in this matchup. Top free-agent signing Jake Guentzel is in the lineup. In addition, we will also see Zemgus Girgensons, J.J. Moser, and Cam Atkinson play their first games with the Bolts.

Most notably, Lightning top prospect Conor Geekie is officially making his NHL debut tonight. He will look to leave a big impression and show the Lightning that they made the right call keeping him on the NHL roster. 

Here is the Lightning's full lineup for this contest.

Forwards 

First Line: Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point & Nikita Kucherov

Second Line: Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli & Nick Paul 

Third Line: Cam Atkinson & Conor Geekie 

Fourth Line: Zemgus Girgensons, Luke Glendening & Michell Chaffee

Defensemen

First Pairing: Victor Hedman & J.J. Moser

Second Pairing: Ryan McDonagh & Erik Cernak 

Third Pairing: Emil Lilleberg & Nick Perbix/Darren Raddysh 

Starting Goalie

Andrei Vasilevskiy