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Cooper Remains In Charge Despite Recent Playoff Woes
Tampa Bay Head Coach Jon Cooper is the longest-serving coach in the NHL, having joined the Lightning in March 2013. In January, the two-time Stanley Cup champion became the third-fastest coach to reach 500 wins, and the quickest to do so with one franchise. Despite four consecutive first-round playoff exits leading to murmurs from dissatisfied fans, the team has a response for those advocating for a coaching change behind the Bolts' bench:
"Coop" isn't going anywhere.

Mike Smith
May 146 min read


After Breakthrough Year, Will Raddysh Stay or Will He Go?
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh had a breakthrough year in 2025-26. Scoring 22 goals, Raddysh broke the team record for most goals scored by a defenseman. He also grounded a Tampa Bay defense mired by injuries, and found his niche on the Bolts' power play unit. Raddysh has also quickly become a fan favorite. As he enters free agency this offseason, one question remains: Will he stay in Tampa Bay, or will he find fortune elsewhere?

Mike Smith
May 115 min read


Kucherov Responds to Critics, Won't Discuss Re-signing
Tampa Bay Lightning Forward Nikita Kucherov has been in this position before: Leading the NHL in several scoring categories, only to have his performance fall short in the playoffs. After another first-round elimination, this time at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, Kucherov spent this week answering his critics while not commenting on the possibility of returning to the team after his contract expires in 2027.

Mike Smith
May 87 min read


Vasilevskiy Airs Grievances, Gets Brutally Honest Regarding Bolts' Early Exit
The Tampa Bay Lightning wrapped up what many would consider a successful regular season: 50 wins with 106 points, good enough for second place in the very competitive Atlantic Division. However, another early first-round exit in the Stanley Cup playoffs has left many with a sour taste in their mouths, including Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy's.

Mike Smith
May 73 min read


Hedman Opens Up About Absence, Mental Health Challenges
Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Victor Hedman spoke to the media Tuesday morning, saying he stepped away from the team and sport he loves to focus on his mental health. Already an advocate of mental health awareness, the 35-year-old defenseman called the decision difficult but necessary.

Mike Smith
May 63 min read


Dobeš, Newhook, and Two Bad Bounces Doom Another Lightning Postseason
Imagine having 29 shots on net and holding your opponent to only nine in a decisive Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, only to lose the game and have your season ended. That's exactly what happened to the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday night when Jakub Dobes and the Montreal Canadiens eliminated them, 2-1.

Mike Smith
May 47 min read


Season Ends as Bolts Drop Game 7 Despite Valiant Effort
It was do or die tonight as the Lightning hosted the Montreal Canadiens for a winner-take-all game 7. Unfortunately for the Tampa Bay Lightning, their season came to an end despite a valiant effort. Tampa Bay was the better team throughout the game tonight, but just couldn't find the back of the net when they needed to.
Michelle Gordon
May 32 min read


Lightning Not Just Trying to Keep Momentum Going, But Instill the Right Mindset Entering Decisive Game 7
Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens will face off in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference First Round series. As game time approaches, both teams have a clear goal: to advance to the second round. However, there's something more as this heated rivalry comes to a head at Benchmark International Arena:
The Tampa Bay Lightning aim to continue their legacy, while the Montreal Canadiens are looking to begin theirs.

Mike Smith
May 34 min read


Vasilevskiy Shows Why He is Still The Best with Stellar Game 6 Performance
Questions abounded in the days leading up to Friday night's crucial Game 6 regarding the effectiveness and performance of Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. Is he not living up to the series' expectations? Is he past his prime? Is "The Big Cat" no longer the threat he once was during the Stanley Cup Championship years?
After a dominating performance at the Bell Centre on Friday night, it can be confirmed that Vasilevskiy is doing just fine.

Mike Smith
May 25 min read


With Their Backs Against The Wall, Lightning Need to Come Out Fighting in Game 6
The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in an all too familiar position headed into Game 6 at the Bell Centre on Friday night: facing early elimination and a trip to the offseason. After a disappointing Game 5 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at home on Wednesday night, the Lightning must find a way to put together 60 great minutes of hockey, or spend the next five months wondering 'what could have been.'

Mike Smith
May 15 min read


Canadiens Overpower Lightning to Take Control of Series
Alexandre Texier scored the game-winning goal early in the third period as the Montreal Canadiens upended the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday night, 3-2. Brendan Gallagher returned to the Habs lineup for the first time in the playoffs to score early in the game, and Kirby Dach added a goal in the second period. The win puts Montreal in control of the Eastern Conference First Round series with a 3-2 lead, and the teams head back north on Friday for Game 6.

Mike Smith
Apr 305 min read


Resiliency is Key as Bolts Look Ahead to Crucial Game 5
If there is one great takeaway from Sunday night's 3-2 comeback win against the Montreal Canadiens, it's that the Tampa Bay Lightning aren't lacking in heart, determination, and resiliency. Facing a two-goal deficit in a hostile environment, the Bolts found a way to win Game 4 at the Bell Centre and regain the advantage in the Eastern Conference First Round.

Mike Smith
Apr 295 min read


Where Were We? A Handful of Takeaways On Eve of Massive Game Five
A fired-up Brandon Hagel looks on in Game 2 of the Tampa Bay Lightning's series against the Montreal Canadiens. Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko | Thunderstruck Sports A playoff series in the National Hockey League is more than just a best-of-seven decision. It's a battle of attrition. It's a fight to the bitter end. More than that, it's cinema. Like every good film, the Lightning vs. Canadiens first-round bout has been full of highs and lows. Heroes and villains. Playing the role
Riley Gillespie-Wilson
Apr 284 min read


Hagel Plays Hero Again as Bolts Battle Back to Knot Up Series
The Tampa Bay Lightning gave the Montreal Canadiens a taste of their own medicine in the fourth game of their playoff series. The Habs, the season's cardiac kids, were nursing a 2-0 lead through nearly 40 minutes of play at Bell Centre Sunday night. That's when Jake Guentzel happened, and Brandon Hagel took it from there, driving the bus to a 3-2 Bolts win that evened the series up at 2-2.
Riley Gillespie-Wilson
Apr 266 min read


The Tampa Bay Lightning: A Must-Win Game 4 Against the Montreal Canadiens
The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in a situation as they enter Sunday night's Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens. Losing two of the three games, including one at home, has the team in a must-win situation tonight at the Bell Centre. With both teams evenly matched, Montreal has found a way to lead and control the series' tempo. But there is one thing that the Canadiens can't control that can help the Lightning claw back into the series:
The Lightning must find that d

Mike Smith
Apr 264 min read


Hagel Leads the Way As Lightning Head to Montreal
The Eastern Conference First Round matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens heads north of the border this weekend, tied at one game each. Following two action-packed overtime results, the Lightning haven't played their best hockey, but haven't played their worst, either. However, there is one force out there keeping the Lightning grounded and headed in the right direction as we enter a pivotal point in the series: Brandon Hagel.

Mike Smith
Apr 246 min read


Moser Scores in Overtime to Give Lightning Win Over Montreal
J.J. Moser scored at 12:48 of overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a much-needed win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round over the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night, 3-2. The victory evens the series at 1-1 as the best-of-seven matchup moves to Montreal Friday night.

Mike Smith
Apr 226 min read


Rocky Start Doesn't Mean the End For Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning found themselves in an all-too-familiar situation after Sunday evening's loss to the Montreal Canadiens in overtime: in an early series deficit. But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater quite yet. It's only the first game, and there's still a great deal of hockey left to be played.

Mike Smith
Apr 206 min read


Lightning Look To Apply Hard Lessons Learned as the Stanley Cup Playoffs Arrive
On the eve of the Round One matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, the Bolts are focused on entering this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs with one major thought in mind:
Do not repeat the sins of the past three postseasons.

Mike Smith
Apr 185 min read


Kartye Scores Twice, Rangers Down Lightning in Regular Season Finale
Tye Kartye had two goals and an assist as the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in the regular season finale, 4-2. Mika Zibanejad added a goal and an assist.
Oliver Bjorkstrand and Corey Perry both scored for the Lightning. The loss was their fourth in the last six games as the Lightning struggled to put together consistent play at the conclusion of the season.

Mike Smith
Apr 163 min read
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