The NHL originally announced on February 15, 2020, that the 2021 Stadium Series would be hosted by theCarolina HurricanesatCarter–Finley Stadium.[2]After he took majority control of the team in 2018, Hurricanes ownerThomas Dundonmade it a goal to have his club play in its first outdoor game. In 2019, Dundon invited NHL CommissionerGary Bettmanto take a tour of Carter–Finley Stadium to see if it was feasible.[3]Before the league could finalize the game, the Hurricanes had to seek additional funding from the local government and other organizations to help offset the cost of hosting the game.[4]
The NHL delayed the start of the2020–21 seasonto January 2021, due to theCOVID-19 pandemichaving forced the2019–20playoffs to conclude in late September.[5]On October 22, 2020, the NHL postponed both the2021 NHL Winter Classicand the2021 All-Star Gamedue to "ongoing uncertainty" since both January events rely on fan participation.[6][7]The decision to further postpone the Stadium Series game was made on December 23.[8]
The Hurricanes later asked the league to move their outdoor game to the 2022–23 season,[9]with team president and general managerDon Waddellstating that he wanted "to assure a safe environment."[10]On June 28, 2021, the league announced that the 2022 game would instead take place atNissan StadiuminNashville, Tennessee,with theNashville Predatorshosting to theTampa Bay Lightning.[1]
The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Nashville Predators 3-2, with Lightning captainSteven Stamkosreceiving the first star of the game, with one goal and two assists. At 1:19 of the first period,Ryan Johansenillegally checkedErik Cernakto the head that would result in Cernak not returning for the last two periods of the game and Johansen receiving a minor penalty, reduced from what was originally a major penalty.Tanner Jeannotscored the first goal of the game for the Predators during a power play at 8:20, scoring the only goal of the period. Early in the second period,Brayden Pointput the Lightning on the board with a power play goal at 0:58. The Lightning would score again this period on another power play, withNikita Kucherovscoring at 6:18 to make it 2–1. At 11:31 of the third period,Cal Footefed the puck to Steven Stamkos who slap shots it into the net, making the score 3–1. Later in the period at 12:29, theFilip Forsbergscores a power play goal to make it 3–2. The Predators could not tie the game with an empty net, and the Lightning prevail with a final score of 3–2. Tampa Bay goalieAndrei Vasilevskiymade 26 saves in the win, while Nashville goalieJuuse Sarosmade 30 saves. There was only one even strength goal of the entire game.[11][12]
The game was broadcast nationally in the United States byTNT.[14]With it being scheduled for a Saturday night, the game will air north of the border under theHockey Night in Canadabanner onSportsnet.[15]
