Lightning Search for Complete Effort as Familiar Issues Shadow Early Start

By Ernie NorquistThunderstruckSports.com | October 2025

Dateline:

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning have long judged themselves by postseason standards. Yet this season, through six games, their rhythm hasn’t met their expectations. They have appeared more reactive than composed. Their once-smooth play shows signs of hesitation and miscommunication. So far, they haven't delivered a full 60-minute effort, and that inconsistency marks their uneven start.

Jon Cooper’s group continues to search for this rhythm. Too often, prolonged pressure results in costly mistakes at the defensive blue line. The Lightning rely on structure and teamwork, and when that structure breaks down, errors escalate quickly. While the Lightning are known for low shot counts, their early-season scoring struggles concern Cooper. They have created chances, but the finishing touch is lacking. For a team that depends on efficiency, this shortfall puts extra pressure on them and emphasizes the need for secondary scoring.

Getting Nick Paul off injured reserve will boost team chemistry. The main question is whether he will return soon enough to enhance the team’s performance. Still, the veteran core stays connected and focused. Leaders like Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, and Brayden Point provide stability when play slips. Their shared history shapes Tampa Bay's identity, even as new lineups form.

One promising combination features Yanni Gourde, who brings energy and balance to the lineup. His familiarity with the Lightning system helps him make a seamless transition. That experience also benefits Oliver Bjorkstrand, who joined from Seattle. The two showed promise after last season’s trade deadline, but Bjorkstrand’s playoff injury slowed their momentum. Their renewed chemistry adds depth and versatility to Tampa Bay’s offense.

The goaltending situation remains steady. Andrei Vasilevskiy appears reliable but hasn't hit his best form yet. Jonas Johansson has been dependable when needed. If he stays healthy and maintains consistency, he should keep performing well as Vasilevskiy’s backup.

Defensively, Hedman shoulders a heavy burden in minutes and responsibilities. The bottom pairings have been inconsistent, causing coverage lapses. Erik Cernak’s injuries have restricted his usual strength along the boards, and both issues have impacted the consistency the Lightning need to find their rhythm.

There are signs of development from younger players. Connor Geekie, now in his second year, is advancing in a promising way. His confidence and awareness show maturity beyond his age. Jack Finley, Pontus Holmberg, and Dominic James are also finding their footing, each displaying flashes of skill and composure. If they continue to grow together, they could provide the bottom-six scoring that has been missing from Tampa Bay’s depth.

The organization has also increased its toughness. The recent acquisition of Curtis Douglas enhances their presence and adds more physicality to the game. If Douglas can contribute both physically and offensively, he could become an even more valuable player. His size and effort in front of the net already challenge opposing defenses, signaling a return to the balanced toughness that characterized the Lightning during their championship years.

A 90.5 percent penalty kill, ranked sixth in the league, has been a consistent strength. Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel have turned defense into offense, creating shorthanded chances early. That unit should improve once Paul returns. The power play remains effective, although slower puck movement has limited its impact. Four power play goals from the Kucherov-Point-Guentzel trio are concerning, given how dominant they were last season. Every time the league thinks it has them figured out, the Lightning find new ways to showcase their skill. Sharper entries and quicker rotations will be necessary as opponents adjust.

These early flaws are not cause for concern, but they highlight how slim the margins are in today’s Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay’s success has always depended on discipline and attention to detail. With a few tweaks and steady leadership, the Lightning can regain focus and momentum before these issues define their season.

Jon Cooper has all the ingredients for a world-class stew; it just needs a little more time to simmer before it is ready to serve. If he can blend the veteran experience with the renewed energy from Gourde and Bjorkstrand, add the competitive edge from Curtis Douglas, and foster the development of rising players like Geekie, Gage Goncalves, and Holberg, along with the steadiness of a healthy roster, Tampa Bay may rediscover the balance that once fueled its championship identity. While sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Division only six games in might make most fan bases anxious, the league’s longest-tenured coach will find a way to ease those concerns before the Thanksgiving standings become the early signal of playoff fate.