The Tampa Bay Lightning look to start a new winning streak tonight as they host the Seattle Kraken, and the biggest story heading into the game is the return of Dominic James to the lineup. On today's episode of Lightning Power Lunch, Dave Mishkin and Greg Linnelli discuss James' return from injury, the lineup changes that come with it, and what the Lightning hope to see from one of their fastest and most energetic young forwards.

The guys break down Tampa Bay's revamped forward lines, including the reunion of Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, and Anthony Cirelli, while Jake Guentzel joins Brayden Point on a new-look top unit. They also discuss the continued use of 11 forwards and 7 defensemen, Emil Lilleberg returning to the lineup, and why Gage Goncalves will be a healthy scratch tonight.

Later, Everett Fitzhugh, radio voice of the Seattle Kraken, joins the show to discuss Seattle's impressive road trip, balanced offensive attack, strong goaltending from Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer, the development of Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, and Kaapo Kakko, and why the Kraken believe they're ready to return to the playoffs.

Plus, the guys discuss Conor Geekie's development, the Lightning's faceoff challenges, the ongoing power-play struggles, trade deadline flexibility, and another strong season from captain Victor Hedman despite a reduced special-teams workload.

Topics Discussed

• Dominic James returns to the Lightning lineup
• Why Gage Goncalves is sitting tonight
• New forward lines featuring Kucherov, Hagel and Cirelli
• Jake Guentzel joining Brayden Point
• The continued 11-forward, 7-defenseman approach
• Emil Lilleberg back in the lineup
• Conor Geekie's development and role on Power Play 2
• Lightning faceoff concerns and solutions
• Power-play struggles through the first six games
• Trade deadline cap flexibility and future roster moves
• Previewing Lightning vs. Kraken
• Everett Fitzhugh on Seattle's hot start
• Why the Kraken succeed with balanced scoring
• Jared McCann's importance to Seattle's offense
• The development of Matty Beniers, Shane Wright and Kaapo Kakko
• Seattle's goaltending tandem of Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer
• The Pacific Division playoff race
• Fan questions on lineup decisions, power-play adjustments, and more

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As the Tampa Bay Lightning prepare for their final preseason game, the picture of the opening-night roster is beginning to come into focus. Dave Mishkin and Greg Linnelli break down the latest camp developments, including why Conor Geekie appears to have earned a spot on the NHL roster, the strong preseason from Jansen Harkins, and what could be next for top prospects Sam O'Reilly and Benjamin Rautiainen.

The guys also discuss the practice groups that may reveal Tampa Bay's projected opening-night roster, why the organization believes more development time could benefit O'Reilly, and how Geekie's offseason work on his skating and strength has translated into his best training camp yet.

Plus, thoughts on Victor Hedman's encouraging preseason, the ongoing evolution of the Lightning power play, Jansen Harkins' surprising push for a roster spot, and what to watch in Tampa Bay's preseason finale against the Florida Panthers.

Timestamps

0:00 Opening thoughts and final preseason game preview
2:15 Reading the tea leaves: Is the opening-night roster already set?
8:10 Why Conor Geekie appears to have earned an NHL job
14:45 Sam O'Reilly's future and why Syracuse might be the right path
20:05 Jansen Harkins' surprising camp and roster case
26:30 Breaking down the projected 23-man roster
33:10 Takeaways from the Panthers preseason game
39:00 Victor Hedman's strong preseason showing
44:15 Has the Lightning power play improved?
50:10 Benjamin Rautiainen's future and development path
55:00 Final preseason game preview vs. Florida
58:15 Closing thoughts

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