The Tampa Bay Lightning (10-3-2), fourth in the Eastern Conference, visit the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Wild (12-3-3) at Grand Casino Arena. Tampa Bay is unbeaten at home but still seeking consistency on the road.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Pontus Holmberg and Ilya Mikheyev each scored and assisted as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 Monday night. The goals were the first of the season for both, and the Bolts improved to 2-1-0. Brayden Point also scored his first goal of the season at 16:05 in the first period, redirecting a John Carlson shot from the blue line past Flyers goalie Dan Vladar.

Conor Geekie scored the game-winning goal, and Brandon Hagel added two assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Washington Capitals 3-1 Saturday night. The performance contrasted sharply with their opening-night showing against the New York Rangers, where they were soundly defeated 5-1. Although it was only the second game of the season, the Lightning were determined to show that they were capable of far more than they showed at Madison Square Garden Thursday night.

Image Credit: Michelle Gordon | Thunderstruck Sports Once again, the Atlantic Division is shaping up as possibly the best division in the National Hockey League. It's a division that always seems to be full of surprises. No one was predicting the Buffalo Sabres to finish first last season. Will we be more accurate this year, or will this be another year of the unexpected? Here's how our staffers see it: Patrick Williams– writer: 1. Tampa Bay Lightning– Why: I'm still not bett

The Tampa Bay Lightning open the regular season tonight on a mission: to overcome past mistakes and build on their experiences. Considered one of the favorites to win a competitive Atlantic Division, the Bolts know time is precious. As the team opens with a visit to New York to face the Rangers, hope and excitement certainly wear Tampa Bay blue and white.

The new CBA gave the Tampa Bay Lightning an offer no other team can make, and the reigning MVP has every reason to take it: Seven years. Only one team can offer Nikita Kucherov that seventh year.