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

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

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

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.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / April 11
Canadiens Should Still Avoid Lightning in Round 1 if Possible

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.

Alexander Ovechkin News / Yardbarker Quizzes
The 'NHL franchise scoring leaders' quiz

The 'NHL franchise scoring leaders' quiz

How many of the players with the most career goals for every NHL franchise can you name in five minutes?

The 'NHL all-time goals leaders' quiz
The 'Active 100-point NHL seasons' quiz
The 'NHL Maurice Richard Trophy winners' quiz
Declan Carlile News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 9
Lightning Activate Declan Carlile

Lightning Activate Declan Carlile

The Tampa Bay Lightning have activated defenseman Declan Carlile off of long-term injured reserve in advance of tonight’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, according to Erik Erlendsson of Lightning Insider.

NHL News / Yardbarker
The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

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 / The Sick Podcast / April 9
Massive Game For Habs Tonight Vs. Lightning

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.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 7
Lightning Recall Conor Geekie, Jakob Pelletier, Dylan Duke

Lightning Recall Conor Geekie, Jakob Pelletier, Dylan Duke

The Lightning have added forwards Conor Geekie, Jakob Pelletier, and Dylan Duke on recall from AHL Syracuse ahead of tonight’s game against the Senators, Erik Erlendsson of Lightning Insider reports.

Pontus Holmberg News / NHL Trade Talk / April 7
Should NHL penalty box employee be fired over the Holmberg injury?

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.

NHL News / Field Level Media / April 7
Undermanned Lightning eager to bounce back vs. Senators

Undermanned Lightning eager to bounce back vs. Senators

The Tampa Bay Lightning will look to regain sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division when they visit the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

Nikita Kucherov News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 7
Lightning star Nikita Kucherov hits major milestone with goal vs. Sabres

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.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / April 8
'I don't know if they should keep their job': Cooper on penalty box attendant after Holmberg injury

'I don't know if they should keep their job': Cooper on penalty box attendant after Holmberg injury

It’s not often you see a head coach take out their frustrations on non-NHL team employees, and even less often that it’s a justified frustration, but that’s exactly what happened during the game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres.

Red Wings looking at another meltdown that could extend playoff drought
Devils captain noncommittal on future: 'We'll see what happens'
Why Erik Karlsson winning Penguins' MVP award is a big deal
Dallas Stars ban fan following apparent Nazi salute at game
2026 NCAA men's Frozen Four preview
Darren Raddysh News / Daily Faceoff / April 4
Darren Raddysh sets Lightning single season record for goals by defenseman

Darren Raddysh sets Lightning single season record for goals by defenseman

A grizzled pro has made some history in the Sunshine State. On Saturday, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh scored the 21st goal of his season, setting a new single-season franchise record for goals by a defender.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / April 4
Lightning clinch spot in 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Lightning clinch spot in 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Tampa Bay Lightning have officially clinched a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Lightning secured their franchise-record ninth straight postseason appearance (2017-18) after the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Saturday.

NHL News / Last Word On Sports / April 4
NHL Predictions: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins, April 4th

NHL Predictions: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins, April 4th

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey break down the action with in-depth analysis. We look at key matchups, storylines, and stats, then make predictions based on how things might play out.

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The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz
 The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz
The 'Masters runners-up since 2000' quiz
 The 'Masters runners-up since 2000' quiz
The 'NBA top-seed top-scorers' quiz
 The 'NBA top-seed top-scorers' quiz
The 'Three blocks-per-game NBA seasons' quiz
 The 'Three blocks-per-game NBA seasons' quiz
NHL News / Inside The Rink / April 3
Penguins Lose 6-3 Against Lightning, Cirelli Scores Hat Trick

Penguins Lose 6-3 Against Lightning, Cirelli Scores Hat Trick

The Penguins took a 6-3 loss on Thursday when they visited the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have been alternating between wins and losses, while the Penguins had a two-game winning streak.

Andrei Vasilevskiy News / Breakaway on SI / April 3
Why Lightning’s Success Starts with Andrei Vasilevskiy

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.

Zemgus Girgensons News / Field Level Media / April 2
Zemgus Girgensons, Lightning hit century mark in win vs. Penguins

Zemgus Girgensons, Lightning hit century mark in win vs. Penguins

Tampa Bay's Anthony Cirelli recorded his second career hat trick, Zemgus Girgensons notched his 100th goal and the host Lightning tallied five unanswered times to reach 100 points in a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Breakaway on SI / April 2
Jon Cooper Explains Why Lightning Value Yanni Gourde

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.

Brandon Hagel News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 1
Lightning’s Brandon Hagel doubtful for Penguins game with undisclosed injury

Lightning’s Brandon Hagel doubtful for Penguins game with undisclosed injury

The Tampa Bay Lightning might still be in the thick of playoff positioning in the Atlantic Division, but their priority is making sure their best players are 100% healthy.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL on ClutchPoints / March 31
Lightning’s nightmare seeding, matchup scenarios for 2026 NHL Playoffs

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

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

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

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