Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

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NHL Predictions: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadians, March 31st

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.

Noah Steen News / Pro Hockey Rumors / March 31

Lightning Sign Noah Steen To Entry-Level Deal

The Lightning signed winger prospect Noah Steen to a two-year, entry-level contract on Monday that begins next season, PuckPedia reports. The deal has a total value of $1.95MM, with a cap hit of $972.5K.

NHL News / Field Level Media / March 30

Atlantic rivals Lightning, Canadiens face off in crucial contest

With just nine regular-season games left apiece, the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning are staring at a very important game against each other Tuesday night on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Washington Capitals News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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

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

The 25 best NHL teams who didn't win the Stanley Cup

In the lore of the NHL, it's the Stanley Cup-winning teams that are remembered the most from seasons past. Yet, when looking back on the best of the best

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / March 30

Lightning Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – No. 1 Seed, Jack Adams Award, and More

The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to roll, going 3–0–1 in last week’s four-game slate. In this week-ahead piece, we look at how the team ranks first in the Eastern Conference, head coach Jon Cooper‘s Jack Adams Award case, and the schedule that awaits them.

Corey Perry News / Daily Faceoff / March 30

‘That’s why I’m still playing’: Corey Perry on the chase for one more Stanley Cup championship

TORONTO — Eighteen years, nine months and 14 days. That’s how long it was between the moment Corey Perry first lifted the Stanley Cup over his head and when he answered the phone from a hotel room in Edmonton last week to speak with Daily Faceoff. Perry, who turns 41 in May, is in the midst of his 21st NHL season.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / March 30

What the Flyers are getting in star prospect Porter Martone

The Porter Martone era is alive, Philadelphia Flyers fans. The club officially inked their top prospect to a three-year, entry-level contract on Sunday.

Corey Perry News / Field Level Media / March 29

Corey Perry's late score lifts Lightning past Predators, to top of Atlantic

Tampa Bay's Corey Perry netted a tiebreaking rebound in the third period, and the Lightning hung on to move back to the top of the Atlantic Division standings with a 3-2 win over the visiting Nashville Predators on Sunday.

NHL News / Field Level Media / March 29

Lightning look to play with emotion, physicality vs. Predators

Charle-Edouard D'Astous has a strong idea of what he and his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates need the rest of the season. The defenseman said using emotion and playing with more physicality are the answers for the Lightning, who will conclude a back-to-back set on Sunday with a game against the visiting Nashville Predators.

Darren Raddysh News / NHL Rumors / March 28

The Maple Leafs Have Two Areas to Improve, and Can the Lightning Extend Darren Raddysh

Acquiring some assets and looking for a puck-moving defenseman and a steady top-six center should be the Toronto Maple Leafs MO this offseason Jonas Siegel of The Athletic: On the problems with the idea of the Toronto Maple Leafs tearing it down and rebuilding is that they owe the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers their first-round picks.

NHL News / Field Level Media / March 28

Lightning score two late goals in victory over Senators

Tampa Bay's Emil Lilleberg put in the tiebreaking goal at 8:51, and the Lightning rallied to earn points in their seventh straight game with a 4-2 win over the visiting Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon.

Jake Guentzel News / Breakaway on SI / March 28

Jake Guentzel Reveals Key Lightning Strength After Wild Comeback

The 2025–26 season for the Tampa Bay Lightning has been anything but predictable. At times, they’ve looked like a Stanley Cup favorite, rolling through opponents with elite skill and depth.

Nikita Kucherov News / Breakaway on SI / March 28

Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov on the Details That Drive Him

There are hot streaks, and then there’s what Nikita Kucherov is doing right now. In a league built on speed, structure, and parity, Kucherov is bending the rules.

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The 'Active 30-point NBA games leaders' quiz

The 'Rushing-TD leaders by NFL team' quiz

The 'Most Elite Eight appearances' quiz

The 'Nine three-pointer NBA games' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL on ClutchPoints / March 25

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

The Tampa Bay Lightning have shown signs throughout the season that they have been the best team in the NHL. While they had some problems early on and they have had issues since returning from the Olympic break, there was a portion in the middle of the season when the Lightning reeled off a 19-1-1 streak and dominated their opponents.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / March 25

Lightning's Victor Hedman taking 'temporary leave of absence'

The Lightning announced Wednesday that captain Victor Hedman is taking a temporary leave of absence for personal reasons.

Lightning score five unanswered goals to sink Wild

Sidney Crosby assigns blame after Penguins' second straight blowout loss

The '2003-04 Tampa Bay Lightning' quiz

Nikita Kucherov News / The Hockey Writers / March 25

Lightning Star Nikita Kucherov Has Shot at NHL History

Nikita Kucherov leads the league in scoring with 120 points through 70 games. This torrid pace is not new, but the Tampa Bay Lightning star has turned up the dial in 2025-26.

Nikita Kucherov News / Daily Faceoff / March 24

Nikita Kucherov's hard work is an underrated skill set

There may be no more underrated player in today’s game than Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov.

Why the Lightning are absolutely scary right now

Nobody seems to want to win in the NHL’s Pacific Division

Did Connor McDavid hint at likely landing spot if he leaves Edmonton?

The 'NHL Maurice Richard Trophy winners' quiz

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / March 23

Lightning Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Back on Track, Stars Shine, and More

The Tampa Bay Lightning were coming off a poor stretch entering last week, but they finally got back on track. In this week-ahead piece, we’ll revisit their strong play, the stars who shone, and the schedule that awaits them.