Tampa Bay Lightning Showcasing Grit After Slow Start

It’s no surprise that as Kucherov has been performing, Tampa Bay has been winning. The 12-year veteran has put the team on his back so far in 2025-26, leading the way with 27 points through 21 games. He played a big part in the Lightning’s 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, marking his team-leading ninth multi-point game of the season. 

Kucherov is a special player, and when he plays at his best, the Lightning are almost unbeatable. With everything he brings to the table and the team seemingly  firing on all cylinders, Tampa Bay has put itself in playoff contention at lightning speed.

Supporting Cast Playing Huge Roles For The Lightning

While most of the media have been focused on Kucherov’s campaign, Hagel and Guentzel have been providing some much-needed offensive support. Hagel leads the team in goals with 12 and has posted multi-point games in his last three contests. His offensive surge comes after he posted just one point across seven games to open the 2025-26 season. It was a tough break, and that seems over and done with if his current stretch is anything to go by.

Guentzel, who is tied for the second-most points on the Lightning with 24, tallied his own multi-point game during Wednesday’s contest. It marks his seventh such game in 2025-26, showcasing his ability to put the puck in the net and find opportunities to put his teammates on the board. Guentzel has been the textbook example of a good teammate this season, and it seems to be working in his favor as Tampa Bay gets better and better.  

Andrei Vasilevsky Has Been Lights Out During Winning Streak

Vasilevskiy is no stranger to tough times, and the start of the season proved to be just that. The 12-year goaltender lost his first five contests to start 2025-26, including two overtime losses, but has turned it around since then. His play over the past few weeks has been a major factor in the Lightning’s surge up the Atlantic Division standings, as he has won his last five games. 

Despite his ups and downs, the fact that he’s still one of the best in the game isn’t up for debate. It’ll be up to him to keep them in the win column as they hit the road and visit Detroit and New York, but it seems like he’s found his groove. He’s as dangerous as they come if he’s on his game, and luckily for the Lightning, he might just be back.

End Of My Tampa Bay Lightning Rant

Bad news—the Lightning had an atrocious start to the 2025-26 campaign, to put it lightly. The good news? That start seems to be in the rear-view mirror as of late, as the team sits at the top of the Atlantic Division, with cohesive units working together to win games. 

Tampa Bay is only a few seasons removed from back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships, and they could be adding a third in six years if they keep up this pace. Their stars, namely Kucherov, Hagel, and Guentzel, seem to have all found their stride and are intent on improving game after game. 

A team that has been battle-tested early in a season often becomes a threat once it figures it out, which the Lightning have done spectacularly. They will face quite a few worthy opponents down the line; given the strength of their division, that’s a no-brainer. With that being said, I’d be worried to play them given how well they’ve performed as of late. 

The Lightning have transformed into a playoff-worthy team in just over a month. Given the speed of that transformation, it’s scary to think what the team could look like when the regular season comes to an end in April. They’re the hottest team in the Eastern Conference right now—and they know it.