Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Lightning out to rediscover 'winning feeling' vs. lowly Canucks

The Tampa Bay Lightning's championship window may not be starting to close after all. The Lightning (41-21-4, 86 points) are looking to snap back into a consistent winning mode as they travel to Vancouver on Thursday night to face the Canucks (21-38-8, 50 points) in a clash between teams that have struggled coming out of the Olympic break.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Five underrated breakout players in the 2025-26 NHL season

Here, we’ll dive into five players who have had breakout 2025-26 seasons but aren’t getting the attention they deserve for it.

What makes Matthew Schaefer an elite defenseman?

It's almost impossible to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race

2026 career projections: Will McDavid, Crosby or MacKinnon reach 2,000 points?

The '2003-04 Tampa Bay Lightning' quiz

Nikita Kucherov News / Breakaway on SI / March 18

Nikita Kucherov Explodes as Lightning Cruise Past Kraken

Nikita Kucherov delivered another dominant performance at Climate Pledge Arena. The Tampa Bay Lightning winger collected three goals and two assists in the team's 6-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken, recording his ninth career five-point game while climbing the NHL scoring leaderboard.

NHL News / Field Level Media / March 18

NHL roundup: Nikita Kucherov (3 G, 2 A) steers Lightning past Kraken

Nikita Kucherov scored three goals and added two assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning routed the host Seattle Kraken 6-2 on Tuesday. Brandon Hagel had a goal and three assists, Anthony Cirelli posted a goal and two assists and Gage Goncalves added one of each for the Lightning in the opener of a four-game trip.

Pittsburgh Penguins News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NHL all-time goals leaders' quiz

How many of the 22 players in NHL history with at least 600 career goals can you name in five minutes?

The 'All-time points leader by NHL team' quiz

The 'NHL 1,600 point club' quiz

The 'NHL active hat trick leaders' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Field Level Media / March 18

Nikita Kucherov's 5-point hat trick powers Lightning past Kraken

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

NHL News / Last Word On Sports / March 17

NHL Predictions: March 17 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Seattle Kraken

Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / March 17

Report: European teams tell NHL they won't play in 2028 World Cup if Russia is involved

Several European countries have informed the NHL if Russia is allowed to play in the 2028 World Cup, they would not participate.

The 'Active 40-goal NHL season leaders' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Daily Faceoff / March 16

Lightning’s slump shouldn’t be a cause for concern… yet

While the Tampa Bay Lightning remain in a comfortable playoff spot, there’s some worry growing after a few losses as of late. The Lightning come into the new week having lost three of their past four games, and have dropped seven of their past nine as well.

Corey Perry News / NHL on ClutchPoints / March 16

3 reasons why Corey Perry is perfect fit for Lightning

Until recent weeks, the Tampa Bay Lightning had maintained their position as the best club in the Eastern Conference, though they’ve since been overtaken by the scorching-hot Buffalo Sabres.

Nikita Kucherov News / The Hockey Writers / March 15

Lightning Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Slump Continues, Kucherov for Hart, and More

The Tampa Bay Lightning fell short in two out of three games last week, including an important home contest against the Carolina Hurricanes. For the week ahead, we’ll look at the team’s current slump, Nikita Kucherov’s Hart Trophy case, and more.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / The Hockey Writers / March 15

3 Thoughts About the Lightning’s Recent Skid

The Tampa Bay Lightning have struggled to regain traction since the Olympic break, and the time after the trade deadline appears to present the same issue.

Declan Carlile News / Pro Hockey Rumors / March 14

Lightning’s Declan Carlile Out Four To Five Weeks With Injury

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced that defenseman Declan Carlile will be sidelined for a four- to-five-week period as the result of a lower-body injury.

Declan Carlile News / Daily Faceoff / March 14

Lightning’s Declan Carlile out 4-5 weeks with lower-body injury

The Tampa Bay Lightning look to be without one of their young defenseman for approximately the rest of the regular season, if not a bit longer. On Saturday, the team announced that Declan Carlile is expected to miss the next four to five weeks with a lower-body injury.

Nikita Kucherov News / The Hockey Writers / March 14

Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov Should Be the Hart Trophy Frontrunner

For a few years now, NHL.com has polled its writers on who they think should win various awards. Oftentimes, those mock polls become reality, especially late in the season.

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

The 'Active multi-TD-catch NFL games' quiz

The 'MLB Rookies of the Year since 2000' quiz

The 'Active 30-point triple-doubles' quiz

The 'Most men's NCAA Tournaments' quiz

NHL News / Field Level Media / March 13

Lightning try to take down Hurricanes in latest clash

Tampa Bay put it together in 60 minutes of winning hockey during its last outing, but the Lightning may have to be even better when the Eastern Conference-leading Carolina Hurricanes visit on Saturday night.

Nikita Kucherov News / Breakaway on SI / March 13

Lightning's Nikita Kucherov Hits Career Milestone Amid Art Ross Chase

Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov has been nothing short of sensational this season. But while Bolts fans are already familiar with just how insane his scoring has been over the last few seasons, the fact that Kucherov is doing what he is doing at his pace has them stunned.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL on ClutchPoints / March 13

Lightning’s Gage Goncalves drops ultimate Nikita Kucherov praise after 1,100th point

Nikita Kucherov continues to establish himself as one of the NHL’s all-time greats, and the Tampa Bay Lightning superstar was the catalyst of a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Benchmark International Arena on Thursday night.

Steven Santini News / Pro Hockey Rumors / March 13

Lightning Reassign Steven Santini

The Lightning announced today that defender Steven Santini has been reassigned to AHL Syracuse. He is right at the 10-game cutoff for losing his temporary waiver exemption, but has spent less than 30 days on the active roster since last clearing them during preseason, so he doesn’t need them to head back to the minors today.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Field Level Media / March 12

Gage Goncalves, Jake Guentzel lead Lightning to win over Wings

Gage Goncalves and Jake Guentzel each scored two goals as the Tampa Bay Lightning collected just their third win since the Winter Olympics break, beating the visiting Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Thursday night.

NHL News / Last Word On Sports / March 12

NHL Predictions: March 12th – Tampa Bay Lightning versus Detroit Red Wings

Brandon Hagel News / NHL Rumors / March 10

NHL News: Hagel Fined, 2028-29 Projected Salary Cap, and Injury Notes

NHL Player Safety: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel was fined $5,000 for being an aggressor in an altercation with Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.

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

Brayden Point News / Breakaway on SI / March 8

Lightning Star Records Fourth 100-Point Season

The Lightning had to prove something last night as they faced the Maple Leafs in an Atlantic Division showdown. But while Tampa Bay grabbed a crucial victory, it was superstar forward Nikita Kucherov who etched his name deeper into franchise history.

Kevyn Adams News / Yardbarker / February 28

Sabres deliver big statement with impressive win over Lightning

Buffalo Sabres fans might finally have a hockey team they can be proud of again.

Senators extend Maple Leafs' skid with resounding win

Maple Leafs' Scott Laughton wants to stay despite trade speculation

Craig Berube's latest roster move is big news for Maple Leafs

Could Team USA snub be impacting Adam Fox's commitment to Rangers?

The '2003-04 Tampa Bay Lightning' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL Trade Talk / February 27

Lightning Rolling — Do They Even Need a Deadline Move?

As the NHL trade deadline nears, the Lightning sit tied with the Carolina Hurricanes atop the Eastern Conference. Despite injuries throughout the season to key players such as Victor Hedman and Brayden Point, the Lightning have shown no signs of slowing down.