top of page
All Posts


Mikheyev, Lightning Down Blackhawks for Eighth Straight Home Win
Ilya Mikheyev scored twice, and Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh each scored as the Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night, 4-1. The win was the eighth straight home win at Benchmark International Arena to start the season, improving on the franchise-setting mark.

Mike Smith
6h5 min read


Point, Cirelli Lead Bolts to Win over Red Wings
Brayden Point scored twice in the first period, and Anthony Cirelli scored the game-winner as the Tampa Bay Lightning improved to 7-0-0 at home, the best season-opening run in franchise history.

Mike Smith
2d3 min read


Kucherov, Lightning Try To Get Back To Business But Fall To Nashville in Shootout
Nikita Kucherov had three assists and the Tampa Bay Lightning had three separate one-goal leads, but defensive lapses repeatedly stung the Bolts. They ended up losing to the Predators 5-4 in the shootout.
Alyssa Shimko
6d3 min read


Kucherov Drama Overshadows, Infuses Halloween Game in Stamkos' Barn
As the Tampa Bay Lightning head to Tennessee to take on the Nashville Predators this Halloween, the team and fans found themselves in a nightmare scenario when contract talks with Nikita Kucherov collapsed Friday night.
After a meeting with Lightning GM Julien Brisebois on Friday, Kucherov told teammates on the flight to Nashville that he will not re-sign and is requesting a trade before his contract expires next summer.

Mike Smith
6d4 min read


Kucherov Contract Talks Reach Impasse; Won't Sign, Requests Trade: Reports
Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov has requested a trade after contract talks stalled, sources close to the situation say. Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko | Thunderstruck Sports By MIke Smith | Thunderstruck Sports Nikita Kucherov told the Tampa Bay Lightning he won't re-sign with the team and is requesting a trade, according to multiple sources Friday evening. Kucherov is in the final year of a seven-year, $9.5M AVV deal with the Lightning, and the team has been unable to reach a

Mike Smith
6d2 min read


Holmberg, Lightning Ground Jets to Tie Home Win Record
Pontus Holmberg had a goal and three assists, as the Tampa Bay Lightning held off a third period rally to beat the Winnipeg Jets, 6-4. It was his first four-point night, as he and linemates Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli combined for ten points.

Mike Smith
Oct 293 min read


From the Glass to the Rafters: Lightning Fans Have Never Had It This Good
Lightning's last 15 years is not the norm
Ernie Norquist
Oct 276 min read


Kucherov's Accomplishment Years in the Making
Growing up in Moscow, Russia, Nikita Kucherov dreamed of playing in a vaguely known foreign organization he had only heard about: the National Hockey League. He idolized Russian players like Sergei Fedorov, part of Detroit's "Russian Five" in the 1990s. Today, Kucherov is one of the league's premier players, setting a standard for future players, whether they're from Russia, North America, or anywhere there is a sheet of ice and a dream to play hockey, and play it well.

Mike Smith
Oct 276 min read


Kucherov Passes Stamkos as Lightning Scoring Leader, but Mammoth Win in Overtime
Nikita Kucherov etched his name atop the Tampa Bay Lightning scoring list, but took a back seat to another Russian player on this night, as Dmitri Simashev scored the first two goals of his NHL career, including the winner 1:44 into overtime, to lift the Utah Mammoth over the Lightning, 5-4, on Saturday at Delta Center.
Ernie Norquist
Oct 253 min read


Avalanche Barrage Early, Hand Bolts Mile-High Loss
The Colorado Avalanche scored twice in the first six minutes and never let go, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3 Friday night at Ball Arena. Jake Guentzel scored twice on the power play for Tampa Bay, which outshot Colorado 34-24, but the Bolts couldn't climb out of an early hole.

Mike Smith
Oct 243 min read


Kucherov on the Cusp of Greatness...Again
Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov is once again on the cusp of greatness. The two-time Hart Trophy winner needs one point to eclipse Steven Stamkos as the Tampa Bay Lightning's all-time leading scorer. It's never been a matter of if; it's always been a matter of when.

Mike Smith
Oct 232 min read


Welcome to Tampa Bay, Dennis Hildeby
The plight of the backup goaltender. To some, it is considered the most difficult position in hockey. For the majority of the season, the role is simply to warm the bench. In no city is this truer than Tampa Bay where Andrei Vasilevskiy reigns supreme in the Lightning net. This year, the holder of this uncoveted backup position is newcomer Dennis Hildeby.
Michelle Gordon
Oct 223 min read


Cirelli, Vasilevskiy lead the way in a one-sided affair in Las Vegas
Anthony Cirelli scored twice, and Andrei Vasilevskiy shielded the net perfectly to shut down the Vegas Golden Knights in a late-night affair at T-Mobile Arena. With a rough road trip underway, it was important to start with a statement win, and that is what happened here in Las Vegas. Brandon Hagel kept his name on the scoring sheet, and Nikita Kucherov neared history with a three-point night.
Robert Hazou
Oct 214 min read


Guentzel Quietly Builds Solid Start to Season as Lightning Head West
While Brandon Hagel, Victor Hedman, and Nikita Kucherov have dominated the Tampa Bay Lightning's headlines in the first eight games of the season, forward Jake Guentzel has quietly put together a solid start and become a major factor in the Bolts' 6-2-0 record. The 'Silent Assassin' will need to build on his strong start as the Lightning look to win out west this week, starting tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Mike Smith
Oct 203 min read


Kucherov Rallies Lightning to Win over Canucks
Nikita Kucherov scored twice, and Jake Guentzel scored the game-winning goal as the Tampa Bay Lightning rattled off four unanswered goals to beat the Vancouver Canucks, 4-2. The Bolts remain unbeaten at home after five games and improved to 6-2-0 overall.

Mike Smith
Oct 174 min read


Hedman Delivers OT Win as Lightning Top Kraken
Victor Hedman scored the game-winner in overtime, while Brandon Hagel added two goals as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Seattle Kraken, 4-3. The goal was the Bolts' captain's first of the season, and his first since February 28th, weeks before leaving the team for mental health reasons.

Mike Smith
Oct 154 min read


James Returns as Lightning Hope to Rebound Against Kraken
After losing to the New York Rangers 4-1 Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, the second time in less than two weeks, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper had one thing to say to the gathered media afterwards: "Do you guys want to just play my presser from a week ago here?"
As the Lightning head back to Tampa to prepare for Thursday night's home matchup against the Seattle Kraken, the Bolts know they still have a lot of work to do to avoid nights like the past two in New

Mike Smith
Oct 155 min read


Frozen Frenzy Night Gives Lightning Second Loss in New York
Tuesday night was Frozen Frenzy Night in the National Hockey League. All 32 teams saw action. The Tampa Bay Lightning returned to the site of their lone loss this young season, Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately, the result this time was pretty similar to the last one. The Bolts had a lackluster effort and dropped another one to the New York Rangers, this one by a 4-1 final.
Michelle Gordon
Oct 132 min read


Lightning Win Their 4th Straight and First Road Win against the Islanders
The red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning take their 3 game winning streak to the UBS Arena tonight to face the New York Islanders. After losing the season opener against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been unbeatable. Three straight games, three straight wins. Tonight, the Lightning put their win streak on the line on the road against the New York Islanders. The story of the game could be found at the hardware store. In between the pipes,
Dan Herrejon
Oct 104 min read


Bolts Win Again Behind Carlson, Hildeby
John Carlson scored twice, and Dennis Hildeby played spectacularly in net as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2 on Thursday night. Nikita Kucherov notched two more assists, continuing his opening-season point streak. The win was the Bolts' third straight, capping a three-game home stand.

Mike Smith
Oct 95 min read
bottom of page