Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

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Lightning’s Victor Hedman to take temporary leave of absence for personal reasons

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Wednesday that captain Victor Hedman is taking a temporary leave of absence for personal reasons. The team provided no additional information and urged respect for Hedman’s privacy.

Victor Hedman News / Field Level Media / March 25

Lightning captain Victor Hedman taking leave of absence

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman is taking a temporary leave of absence for personal reasons, the team announced on Wednesday. Hedman, a defenseman, logged just 4:44 of ice time before exiting Tampa Bay's 6-2 victory versus the Vancouver Canucks last Thursday due to an illness.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Receiving-record by NFL team' quiz

How many of the players responsible for the best receiving season in the history of each NFL franchise can you name in five minutes?

The 'Rushing-TD leaders by NFL season' quiz

The 'Active 100-catch NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Most 1K-receiving-yard seasons' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / March 25

Lightning’s Victor Hedman takes leave of absence

On Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that captain Victor Hedman will be taking a temporary leave of absence from the organization for personal reasons.

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

Victor Hedman 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.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL on ClutchPoints / March 25

Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov extends wild assist streak that’s only topped by Wayne Gretzky

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov is seen as one of the favorites to win what would be his third consecutive Art Ross Trophy considering the season he is having.

NHL News / Field Level Media / March 24

Lightning score five unanswered goals to sink Wild

Erik Cernak scored a quirky, tiebreaking goal with less than three minutes left, and the Lightning opened a season-long seven-game homestand with five unanswered tallies in a 6-3 win to split the season series with the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.

Maple Leafs collect rare win as Matthew Knies strikes twice vs. Bruins

Predators erupt for five first-period goals, top Sharks for fifth straight win

Martin Necas scores twice as Avalanche crush Penguins

Panthers edge Kraken in shootout in Paul Maurice's 2,000th game

The '2003-04 Tampa Bay Lightning' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning 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 / Daily Faceoff / March 24

Why the Lightning are absolutely scary right now

It’s been quite some time since the Tampa Bay Lightning made legitimate noise in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but that may all change this year. After winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, the Bolts fell to the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Final, and they haven’t won a playoff series in three attempts since then.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Breakaway on SI / March 24

Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov Joins Gretzky, Lemieux With Historic Streak

The 2025–26 NHL season has featured no shortage of drama, but few storylines have been as captivating as the race for the scoring title. What began as a tight battle between four first overall picks making history has slowly turned into something far more one-sided.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Breakaway on SI / March 23

Lightning Star Finally Makes Convincing Hart Case in Two-Horse Race

The fact that Nikita Kucherov is a generational player is something that is becoming clearer as he continues his elite production season after season. But despite his sheer volume of offense, the Lightning star has surprisingly eluded the Hart Trophy for much of his career.

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The 'Active MLB 3+ 30-homer seasons' quiz

The 'Receiving-record by NFL team' quiz

The 'Most 5-three-pointer NBA games' quiz

The 'NCAA basketball tournament mascots' 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.

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

Nikita Kucherov News / Athlon Sports / March 22

Nikita Kucherov Draws NHL's Attention After Oilers Game

Nikita Kucherov has taken center stage in the NHL scoring race after a dominant stretch lifted him past the league’s biggest names. The Tampa Bay Lightning star now leads the NHL with 118 points, moving ahead of both Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon.

NHL News / NHL Trade Talk / March 22

Connor McDavid Sends a Message with Praise for Jon Cooper, Lightning

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers dropped another frustrating contest on Saturday night, falling 5–2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Place to wrap up a four-game homestand.

Nikita Kucherov News / Field Level Media / March 22

Lightning's Nikita Kucherov out to continue sizzling pace vs. Flames

The high-rolling Tampa Bay Lightning will look to complete a perfect road trip when they visit the Calgary Flames on Sunday. The Lightning, especially Nikita Kucherov, have dominated their opponents so far during the trek.

Jake Guentzel News / Pro Hockey Rumors / March 21

Jake Guentzel Is One Of The Best UFA Signings Of This Era

Building a team through free agency is rarely a recipe for success in the NHL. Just ask the Predators, who are only two years removed from “winning” the 2024 UFA sweepstakes but have yet to see any on-ice success from their spending spree (Steven Stamkos, Brady Skjei, and Jonathan Marchessault).

Corey Perry News / NHL on ClutchPoints / March 16