Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Tampa Bay Lightning most to blame for Round 1 loss to Panthers

It’s déjà vu in all the worst ways for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After being defeated in five games by the Florida Panthers in 2024, the exact same thing happened on Wednesday night, with the Panthers once again winning the Battle of Florida in just five contests in Round 1.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

What’s next for Lightning coach Jon Cooper?

With the Tampa Bay Lightning bowing out of the first round of the playoffs in five games to the Florida Panthers, this now makes it three straight years that the Lightning have been bounced in the first round.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Breakaway on SI / May 1

Lightning Grounded in Another First-Round Loss

From 2020-22, the Tampa Bay Lightning won 11-straight series as they advanced to three-straight Stanley Cup Finals, two of which they won. Since then, they haven't won a single series, or even really come close to doing so.

Nikita Kucherov News / The Hockey Writers / May 1

Lightning Winger Nikita Kucherov Named Hart Trophy Finalist

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov has been named a finalist for the Hart Trophy, along with Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck and Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl.

NHL News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NHL Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The NHL began awarding the Conn Smythe Trophy to the most valuable player of the postseason beginning in the 1965 season. How many of the past winners can you name in six minutes?

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Breakaway on SI / May 1

Lightning Superstar Can't Shake Postseason Demons

The Florida Panthers ousted the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in five games. It was a disappointing end to the Lightning's season.

NHL News / Yardbarker

What cities should get NHL expansion teams?

It seems the NHL is in a good place. Ratings are up, talent levels are high, and the league added two teams to get up to 32 in the not-too-distant past.

Forgotten NHL players from the 1980s

20 NHL players from the 1990s you probably forgot about

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL Trade Talk / May 1

Jon Cooper Linked to Utah Amid Talk of Tampa Bay Exit

Longtime Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is reportedly generating buzz as a potential candidate to take over the new NHL franchise in Utah. With

Brandon Hagel News / Rinksiders / May 1

Brandon Hagel’s historic season for the Tampa Bay Lightning has flown under the radar

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers have suited up against each other in this first round with the Panthers coming out victorious. With the two teams being powerhouse, many names will come in the headlines.

Matthew Tkachuk News / Blade of Steel / May 1

Matthew Tkachuk Disrespects the Tampa Bay Lightning With Shocking Comments

The Florida Panthers put their state rival away rather quickly in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and after Game 5, Matthew Tkachuk had some disrespectful comments for their beaten opponents.

NHL News / Athlon Sports / May 1

Lightning Coach's Immediate Reaction to Series Loss to Panthers

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s postseason ended on home ice Wednesday night, as the Florida Panthers beat them 6-3 in Game 5 to take the first-round series and win the Battle of Florida.

Jon Cooper News / NHL on ClutchPoints / May 1

Lightning’s Jon Cooper perfectly sums up Panthers with honest admission

The Tampa Bay Lightning were eliminated on Wednesday night by the Florida Panthers. The Panthers claimed a massive 6-3 win away from home at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

NHL News / Yardbarker / May 1

Panthers continue to dominate Battle of Florida

The Battle of Florida now feels like a one-sided rivalry.

Alex Ovechkin lifts Capitals into second round of Stanley Cup playoffs

Five RFAs with plenty to gain during 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs

Knee-jerk reactions to first week of NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 23 NHL players who have scored 60+ goals in one season

The 'Most NHL goals scored in a season by U.S. born players' quiz

Eetu Luostarinen News / Field Level Media / May 1

Eetu Luostarinen's historic night leads Panthers to series win over Lightning

Florida's Eetu Luostarinen had a career night with a goal and three assists as the visiting Panthers closed out their first-round Eastern Conference playoff matchup Wednesday night, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3 in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series.

NHL suspends Panthers' Aaron Ekblad for dirty hit on Lightning's Brandon Hagel

What cities should get NHL expansion teams?

The 'Most NHL goals scored in a season by U.S. born players' quiz

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / May 1

Panthers eliminate bitter rival Lightning in five games ... again

The Florida Panthers are headed to the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With a 6-3 road victory over the Atlantic Division rival Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, the Panthers punched their ticket to the second round as the club moves forward in its feat to capture its second-straight Stanley Cup championship.

Jon Cooper News / Hockey Latest / April 30

Journalist Surprisingly Links Jon Cooper to Western Conference Team

Journalist Larry Brooks of the New York Post surprisingly linked Lightning head coach Jon Cooper to the Utah Hockey Club in the latest report. The Tampa Bay Lightning are on the verge of elimination in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against their in-state rivals, the Florida Panthers.

Maxwell Crozier News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 30

Lightning make rare single-player recall ahead of must-win Game 5

The Lightning announced they’ve recalled defenseman Maxwell Crozier from AHL Syracuse ahead of tonight’s must-win Game 5 against the Panthers. While a

NHL News / Last Word On Sports / April 30

NHL Predictions Playoff Edition with Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers – Game 5

Welcome back to NHL Predictions 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs style, where we break down the matchups, analyze the chaos, and try to predict the future with the accuracy of a Florida weather forecast.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / April 29

NHL suspends Panthers' Aaron Ekblad for dirty hit on Lightning's Brandon Hagel

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for two playoff games for elbowing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel, the NHL announced today (April 29).

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Last Word On Sports / April 29

Tampa Bay Lightning Tenacious Forward Out for Game Five

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Tampa Bay Lightning. After falling 3-1 in their opening round 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Florida Panthers, after a devastating loss in Game Four, the team announced Tuesday afternoon that forward Brandon Hagel will miss Game 5.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 29

Lightning’s Brandon Hagel to miss Game 5

Lightning top-six winger Brandon Hagel has been ruled out for Wednesday’s Game 5 matchup against the Panthers as he remains in suspected concussion protocol, head coach Jon Cooper said (per the team).

Aaron Ekblad News / Athlon Sports / April 29

Lightning Captain Sends Clear Message on Impact of Aaron Ekblad's Hit

The Tampa Bay Lightning fell 4-2 to the Florida Panthers in Game 4 on Monday night, but much of the postgame attention focused on a second-period hit. Aaron Ekblad leveled Brandon Hagel with a high hit near the boards midway through the second period, catching the Lightning forward in the head with a forearm.

NHL News / Yardbarker / April 28

Watch: Panthers stun Lightning with two goals in 11 seconds to take 3-1 series lead

In a flash, the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2-1 Game 4 lead over the Florida Panthers turned into a 3-2 deficit.

NHL dropped the ball by not suspending Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk

Connor Hellebuyck, Darcy Kuemper, Andrei Vasilevskiy named Vezina Trophy finalists

The 25 most unlikely Stanley Cup Final heroes

The 'Most NHL goals scored in a season by U.S. born players' quiz

Andrei Vasilevskiy News / Athlon Sports / April 28

Lightning React to NHL’s Andrei Vasilevskiy Announcement

The Tampa Bay Lightning finished second in the Atlantic Division this NHL season, and much of their success can be credited to their goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy. The 30-year-old Russian appeared in 63 regular-season games, putting together a 38-20-5 record and posting a career-best 2.18 goals against average (GAA) in his 11th NHL season.

NHL News / Field Level Media / April 27

Lightning bring restored belief to Game 4 vs. Panthers

Suddenly, the Tampa Bay Lightning are feeling more alive. Make no mistake -- the Florida Panthers still lead this Eastern Conference first-round series 2-1.

NHL News / Yardbarker / April 28

NHL dropped the ball by not suspending Matthew Tkachuk

NHL dropped the ball by not suspending Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk

Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk has reportedly avoided supplemental discipline for a late hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel during Game 3 of their series on Saturday afternoon.

Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk avoids a suspension

Lightning's Brandon Hagel suspended for dirty hit

Stanley Cup playoffs takeaways: Lightning-Panthers intensity rises; Senators survive

What cities should get NHL expansion teams?

The 'Most NHL goals scored in a season by U.S. born players' quiz

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Inside The Rink / April 27

NHL Playoffs: Lightning Grind Out First Win of Series in Game 3

Down 0-2 in the series and going on the road, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew they had their work cut out for them heading into Game 3. They were dealt another blow Friday night when Brandon Hagel was suspended one game for a late hit on Aleksander Barkov, making him ineligible to play in this game.