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Can we finally retire the tired line that “hockey does not belong in Florida”? That argument has always leaned on geography and temperature, as if latitude alone determines legitimacy. But the past decade of NHL history tells a very different story, one written in sold-out buildings, championship banners, and a fan base that shows up when the lights are brightest.

There was a lot of buzz as Tampa Bay and their Lightning set out to host their first ever outdoor game. The hope was that the contest would deliver in kind. It did so and then some, quite honestly setting the bar for outdoor games in terms of sheer entertainment value. The Bolts, taking on the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, charged back from being down 5-1, winning a 6-5 shootout battle.

Outdoor NHL hockey is here, and Raymond James Stadium will be center stage tonight in a nationally-brodcast event.

Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports By Ernie Norquist | Thunderstruck Sports For generations, hockey began outdoors. Long before climate-controlled arenas and high-definition scoreboards, the game lived on frozen ponds, backyard rinks, and winding rivers. Makeshift nets marked the goals. Snowbanks doubled as boards. Players stayed until numb toes or fading daylight forced them home. For many around the world, that version of hockey still exists, simple, raw, an

Yanni Gourde and Darren Raddysh both scored and added two assists on Thursday night as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Winnipeg Jets, 4-1.

Darren Raddysh and Anthony Cirelli both scored as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Utah Mammoth Monday night, 2-0.

For about a month now, it seems almost everything has been going the Tampa Bay Lightning's way. They have boasted an incredible record over that span. However, their 15-game point streak finally came to an end Saturday night in Columbus. Nikita Kucherov posted another multi-point effort. It was Mason Marchment and his Blue Jackets, though, who overshadowed 'Kuch' in this one, posting eight goals in a wild one. Columbus took the contest 8-5.

Graphic: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports Byline Ernie Norquist Thunderstruck Sports The league’s hottest team made its annual visit to the United Center on Friday night, as the Tampa Bay Lightning faced the Chicago Blackhawks and Connor Bedard in a nationally televised matchup on ESPN. Tampa Bay entered riding a 14-game point streak, a surge that has pushed the Lightning near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Chicago welcomed the challenge as a measuring stick. W

Nikita Kucherov Photo: Alyssa Shimko | Graphic: Mike Smith Byline by Ernie Norquist Thunderstruck Sports   Honest question for hockey fans. If you remove today’s politics from the equation, are the 2026 Olympics truly best-on-best? Look at this Russian lineup and tell me, with a straight face, they wouldn’t be gold medal favorites. First Line Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals Evgeni Malkin – Pittsburgh Penguins Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning Start with Ovechkin,

Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko | Thunderstruck Sports The Tampa Bay Lightning's point streak is up to 14 games after a convincing 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. Brandon Hagel tallied three points with a goal and two assists. The Bolts' defense held rising superstar Macklin Celebrini off the scoreboard and held their opponents to under two goals in regulation for the 7th straight game. Nikita Kucherov had another multi-point game (as did Anthony Cirelli and Jake Guentzel), and

Today's matinee game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars has the makings of an epic battle. The second best team in the league visiting the home of the third best team in the league. In a game like this, getting lead is a premium. Both of these teams are tough to play. They are even tougher to play when they have a lead. Once the puck was dropped, both teams seemed intent on scoring the game's first goal. Fans watching this game better have their head on a swiv

Riley Gillespie-Wilson | Thunderstruck Sports Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports The Tampa Bay Lightning had a chance to win a twelfth straight game on Friday night in St. Louis, something no Bolts team has ever accomplished. Instead, they fell just short of the feat in a shootout. Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assist, but the night belonged to Blues goaltender Joel Hofer who was incredible in the 3-2 Lightning loss. Puck Pursuit Evident in Quick Start Earl

Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports Andrei Vasilevskiy displayed why he is one of the best goalies in the league helping the Lightning keep the winning streak alive. It would take a while for a goal to be scored and when one was, it happened on an odd play. A battle of the goaltenders was showcased tonight with a little bit of chaos to make what was an underwhelming game become an exciting one. Uneventful beginning Game began with the fourth line getting the fir

Ten wins in a row in the National Hockey League is no easy feat. The Tampa Bay Lightning were able to achieve the benchmark Monday in a second straight convincing win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their red-hot run with a 7–2 road victory over the Philadelphia Flyers

Riley Gillespie-Wilson | Thunderstruck Sports Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko | Thunderstruck Sports It's a well-known fact in today's National Hockey League the coveted top slot in either conference doesn't come easily. It doesn't come without effort, tenacity and resolve in the face of adversity. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, the '25-26 season has handed them a slew of injuries and constant lineup shuffling. If there's one thing their head coach Jon Cooper always preaches, thoug

Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko | Thunderstruck Sports In a battle between the best of the west versus the best of the east tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning proved themselves more than worthy! They extended their win streak to eight games and handed the Colorado Avalanche their second straight regulation loss. Nikita Kucherov had another multi-point game, while the Bolts held Nathan MacKinnon silent. The Battle Origin The Colorado Avalanche are far and away the best team in the l

By Ernie Norquist | Thunderstruck Sports Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports The Tampa Bay Lightning wrapped up their California road trip Saturday afternoon with a matinee win at SAP Center in San Jose, 7-3. The game marked the first of two meetings between the clubs this season and Tampa Bay’s first look at second-year phenom Macklin Celebrini, recently named to Canada’s Olympic roster. The Tampa Bay Lightning did not treat Saturday’s matinee in San Jose like

Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports New Year's Day ended in celebration for Tampa Bay after an eventful final few minutes sealed a hard-earned victory, keeping the win streak rolling in California. J.J. Moeser would pick up his 100th career point and a day after Jon Cooper's 1,00th game, this game would be the 1,000th for video coach Brian Garlock. Inexplainable beginning New Years showdown began quietly until Anze Kopitar was called for tripping nearly three mi

Riley Gillespie-Wilson | Thunderstruck Sports Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports Jon Cooper's 1,000th game behind the Tampa Bay Lightning bench was set to be a fun one against the Ducks in Anaheim. It delivered. The final game of 2025 for Tampa was chalk-full of excitement, momentum swings, and even some overtime. Darren Raddysh played hero as the Bolts nabbed a 4-3 OT win on New Year's Eve at Honda Center. Fending Off an Early Duck Push The first few moments o