Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Lightning vs Canadiens: Tampa Bay’s Path to a First-Round Victory

The first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs will feature a highly anticipated matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens. Both teams finished the season with 106 points, but they took different paths to get here.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning vs. Canadiens series preview

Tampa Bay Lightning: 2nd in Atlantic Division, 106 points Montreal Canadiens: 3rd in Atlantic Division, 106 points The Lightning’s season was as hard-fought as any after getting ravaged by injuries.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Stadium Rant / April 16

Tampa Bay Lightning 2026 Playoff Preview: Stanley Cup Chances And Key Players

The Tampa Bay Lightning enter the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in a familiar position—battle-tested, star-driven, and widely respected across the league.

Darren Raddysh News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 16

Darren Raddysh Is Going To Get Paid This Summer

Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh had been a consistent point producer for a couple of seasons, but what he’s done in Tampa Bay this year is out of this world.

Sidney Crosby News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Stanley Cup Playoff hat-tricks' quiz

There have been 54 players to record multiple hat tricks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the NHL's Modern Era (since 1967-68) can you name in six minutes?

The 'NHL hat-trick leaders since 2000-01' quiz

The 'Most 30-goal NHL seasons' quiz

The 'NHL franchise scoring leaders' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 15

Lightning Activate Maxwell Crozier From LTIR, Place Steven Santini On Waivers

Lightning defenseman Maxwell Crozier told reporters this morning that he’s stepping back into the lineup for tonight’s regular-season finale against the Rangers (including the team’s Benjamin Pierce).

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

There have been successful rookie seasons in NHL history, and there have been superior efforts worth celebrating time and time again. Here's our list of the 25 notable seasons from those with official rookie status, as deemed by the NHL, in reverse chronological order.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / April 15

Lightning’s Max Crozier to return after 26-game absence

Some reinforcements for the Tampa Bay Lightning heading into the final game of their regular season. When speaking to the media, defenseman Max Crozier revealed that he will be in the lineup on Wednesday night when the Lightning hosts the New York Rangers, marking his first appearance after missing the past 26 games.

Brandon Halverson News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 15

Lightning Recall Brandon Halverson

The Lightning announced today that they’ve recalled goaltender Brandon Halverson from AHL Syracuse. It’s likely he’ll back up Andrei Vasilevskiy for tonight’s regular-season finale against the Rangers, per Erik Erlendsson of Lightning Insider.

NHL News / Field Level Media / April 14

Lightning aim to lock up 1st-round home ice vs. Rangers

When the Tampa Bay Lightning host the New York Rangers in their regular-season finale Wednesday, they know a matchup against the Montreal Canadiens is ahead in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / April 13

Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens to meet in Round 1 of 2025-26 playoffs

Let’s get ready to rumble. With the Buffalo Sabres clinching the top spot in the Atlantic Division on Monday night, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens will officially become dance partners in the first round of the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL News / Field Level Media / April 13

Lightning hold off late charge from Red Wings for overtime win

Nikita Kucherov scored the game-winner 27 seconds into overtime, and the Tampa Bay Lightning started a final two-game homestand with their 50th win, edging the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Monday night.

Jonas Johansson News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 13

Lightning To Use EBUG With Jonas Johansson Out

The Tampa Bay Lightning took the ice without backup goaltender Jonas Johansson in Monday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. Johansson is out day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / April 13

Lightning Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Finalizing Positioning, Momentum, and More

The Tampa Bay Lightning enter the final week of the 2025–26 regular season still fighting for playoff positioning, even though they clinched a spot some time ago.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / April 12

Lightning’s Potential 1st-Round Playoff Matchups

The Tampa Bay Lightning are down to their final couple of games on the regular-season calendar. Despite the few games left to play, the playoff bracket is far from set.

NHL News / Field Level Media / April 11

Emil Lilleberg's late goal lifts Lightning past skidding Bruins

Defenseman Emil Lilleberg scored a rebound goal with 1:35 left in regulation, leading the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning to a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Most NBA-debut points by NBA team' quiz

The 'Multiple 200 three-pointer seasons' quiz

The 'Most 25-PPG NBA seasons' quiz

The 'Three-point leaders by NBA season' quiz

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / April 11

Canadiens Should Still Avoid Lightning in Round 1 if Possible

In the moment, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper definitely appeared meme-worthy. Think something along the lines of “scenes that precede unfortunate events.” Seconds before Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky scored the late game-winning 2-1 goal on Thursday, Cooper had been caught on camera prematurely celebrating.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Sick Podcast / April 9

Massive Game For Habs Tonight Vs. Lightning

The Montreal Canadiens (46-22-10) take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (48-24-6) in a big important matchup that surely will have implications on the order of the top 3 in the Atlantic Division.

Pontus Holmberg News / NHL Trade Talk / April 7

Should NHL penalty box employee be fired over the Holmberg injury?

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is calling for a penalty box attendant to lose his job after Pontus Holmberg was injured Monday night when he fell into a partially open door.

Nikita Kucherov News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 7

Lightning star Nikita Kucherov hits major milestone with goal vs. Sabres

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov reached a career landmark in the team’s 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night at the KeyBank Center.

Andrei Vasilevskiy News / Breakaway on SI / April 3

Why Lightning’s Success Starts with Andrei Vasilevskiy

The Tampa Bay Lightning don’t need to search far for their identity. It’s been built over years, shaped by deep playoff runs and tested in the highest-pressure moments the sport can offer.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Breakaway on SI / April 2

Jon Cooper Explains Why Lightning Value Yanni Gourde

The 2025–26 season has tested the Tampa Bay Lightning in just about every way imaginable. Injuries have piled up, lines have shifted, and roles have changed on a near nightly basis.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL on ClutchPoints / March 31

Lightning’s nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs

The Tampa Bay Lightning may not be playing their best hockey as the regular season comes to a close, but there’s no reason that head coach Jon Cooper’s team won’t feel quite a bit of confidence once the playoffs get underway.

Jon Cooper News / Breakaway on SI / March 30

Jon Cooper Praises Young Lightning Defenseman After Career Night

The Tampa Bay Lightning have spent most of this season patching together their blue line. Injuries have come in waves, forcing constant changes and testing the team’s depth in ways few contenders experience.

NHL News / Yardbarker / March 22

Oilers should take Connor McDavid's harsh comments seriously

The Edmonton Oilers are almost certainly going to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, but that is not where the expectation sits with this team.

Oilers’ McDavid calls Pacific Division race ‘a pillow fight’

Nikita Kucherov scores twice to carry Lightning past Oilers

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin joins Wayne Gretzky in another exclusive club in loss to Avalanche

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

Kevyn Adams News / Yardbarker / March 8

Sabres take over first place with win vs. Lightning

Sabres take over first place with Game-of-the-Year win vs. Lightning

The Buffalo Sabres are back, and they proved it again on Sunday in an 8-7 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning that put them into sole possession of first-place in the NHL's Atlantic Division.

Penguins complete historic comeback without Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin

Surging Stars rebound from Friday setback, nip Blackhawks in OT

Red Wings' John Gibson, Cam Talbot combine to blank Devils

Avalanche edge Wild in shootout for fifth straight win

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog (lower body) week-to-week