Oct 29, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) makes a save during the second period of their game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Lightning will start the month with a bang as they have a game right on day 1. On November 1st, the Bolts will head to Raleigh to face off with Eric Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes. Sit back and relax as we take a look at the road ahead for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the month of November.

Date vs./at Opponent Time Network Nov. 1st at Carolina Hurricanes 7:00 p.m. Sun Sports Nov. 2nd vs. St. Louis Blues 7:00 p.m. Sun Sports Nov. 7th vs. Edmonton Oilers 7:30 p.m. Sun Sports Nov. 9th at Detroit Red Wings 7:00 p.m. Sun Sports, RDS Nov. 11th at Boston Bruins 1:00 p.m. NHLN-CA, Sun Sports Nov. 12th at Montreal Canadiens 7:30 p.m. RDS, Sun Sports Nov. 14th vs. Anaheim Ducks 7:30 p.m. Sun Sports Nov. 16th at Phoenix Coyotes 8:00 p.m. CW44 Nov. 19th at Los Angeles Kings 10:30 p.m. Sun Sports Nov. 21st at San Jose Sharks 10:30 p.m. Sun Sports Nov. 22nd at Anaheim Ducks 10:00 p.m. Sun Sports Nov. 25th vs. New York Rangers 7:30 p.m. Sun Sports Nov. 27th vs. Philadelphia Flyers 7:30 p.m. NHLN-US, Sun Sports Nov. 29th vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 4:00 p.m. Sun Sports

Atlantic Division Encounters: 4 Eastern Conference Encounters: 3 Western Conference Encounters: 7 Total Number of Games 14

The Breakdown:

This is going to be a busy month for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Bolts have 29 days to play 14 games. This includes three back-to-backs. The first back to back comes at the very beginning with the Bolts playing November 1st and 2nd against the Hurricanes and Blues. Next isNovember 11th and 12th when the Bolts face the Bruins and Canadiens. The third isn’t until the 21st and 22nd when the Lightning take on two Western Division opponents; the Sharks and the Ducks.

November is more road heavy than October. Only 6 games in November will be played at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Unlike last month, those games are broken up throughout the month rather than a long home stand. This leaves the other 8 games on the road.

The four losses that the Bolts suffered during the month of October were split evenly between home and away games.

While the Bolts have had their struggles this season, they have found a way to overcome. However, if they plan to continue that success, there are a few things that they are going to need to clean up; especially when they are looking at facing two of the top three teams in the league.

Capitalizing on getting the two points in our Western Conference teams will prove to be the icing on the cake for the Lightning. As these points do not alter the other teams in the Atlantic Division, they will be supplemental to their point totals.

While I am fully aware that it is too early in the season to be looking at the standings, it makes the home stretch a lot easier when the points are already in your favor rather than struggling to obtain one of the last few spots in the postseason.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be looking towards goaltender Ben Bishop a great deal during this month. While goaltender Anders Lindback did pick up his first win of the season against the in-state rival Florida Panthers on Sunday, Bishop has the strongest record going forward, and one would argue that it is never a good idea to fix something when it isn’t broken.

What do you think the Lightning are going to need to do to stay ahead of the game? From what you have seen so far this season, do you believe that the Lightning are going to be strong contenders for a postseason appearance? Sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think.

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