Lightning News

EASTERN ATLANTIC

Nikita Kucherov • RW • Lightning

Nikita Kucherov Bags Five Points Against Sharks

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov was sensational in Saturday's 7-2 win over the San Jose Sharks, finishing the contest with one goal and four assists. Three of Kucherov's points came on the power play, including his goal. There have now been 23 five-point games in Lightning history, and Kucherov has been responsible for eight of those. The back-to-back Art Ross Trophy winner has been in video-game mode recently, posting a five-game goal streak and a seven-game point streak. During the hot streak, he has totaled seven goals and 10 assists. Next up, Kucherov will look to outperform the NHL's leading scorer, Nathan MacKinnon, heading into Tuesday's clash with the Colorado Avalanche on 59 points (20 goals, 39 assists) through 37 outings.

4 days ago

Darren Raddysh • D • Lightning

Darren Raddysh Celebrates Hat Trick in Big Win

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh tallied three goals in Saturday's 7-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks, becoming the third blue-liner in franchise history to score a hat trick. Raddysh registered an even-strength goal in the first period and had two power-play markers in the second. It has been a fairytale of a season for Raddysh, who has joined elite company like Cale Makar, Evan Bouchard, and Zach Werenski as one of the NHL's top-scoring defensemen. The 29-year-old has posted three straight multi-point outings, bringing his total to 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 35 games.

4 days ago

Erik Cernak • D • Lightning

Erik Cernak Rejoins Lightning Lineup Wednesday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (hand) was activated from long-term Injured Reserve and is set to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The Slovakian blue-liner has been out since Nov. 22 due to a hand injury. Cernak might take Max Crozier's spot in the lineup. Across 19 appearances, Cernak has racked up 43 blocks and 40 hits. After a career-high 21 points a season ago, he has been limited to four assists on the offensive end. Still, Cernak could tally points in three straight appearances for the first time since April 2022.

Dec 31

J.J. Moser • D • Lightning

J.J. Moser Inks Eight-Year Extension

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser signed an eight-year, $54 million contract extension ahead of Saturday's 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers. Moser is now the fourth defenseman on the Lightning roster under contract with the team for more than three years. He will carry a $6.75 million cap hit starting next season. With many of his teammates battling injuries, Moser has become the Lightning's leader in ice time this season, averaging 21:43 of action. He also leads the team with a plus-25 rating. In 35 appearances, Moser has recorded 12 points (three goals, nine assists), 51 shots, 45 blocks, and 28 hits. Although Moser's game doesn't translate well into fantasy hockey, he has developed into a big piece for Tampa Bay, and the team is undoubtedly delighted that the Swiss rearguard will stick around for many more years.

Dec 28

Ryan McDonagh • D • Lightning

Ryan McDonagh Misses Saturday's Action

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed) won't suit up for Saturday's Battle of Florida against the Panthers. He has re-aggravated a previous injury, which recently sidelined McDonagh for 18 games. He made only three appearances before landing back on the shelf. The Lightning are expected to use Steven Santini as McDonagh's replacement in the lineup. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay's blue line will continue to rely heavily on Darren Raddysh, who has been on fire over the last couple of weeks, tallying nine points (five goals, four assists) in seven games.

Dec 27

Darren Raddysh • D • Lightning

Darren Raddysh Totals Three Points in Monday's Win

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh notched a game-high three points in Monday's 4-1 triumph over the St. Louis Blues. His power-play goal in the first period proved to be the game-winning marker, and Raddysh completed his three-point night with two assists. The 29-year-old has been one of the major surprises in fantasy hockey this season, averaging nearly a point per game. Through 30 outings, Raddysh has contributed eight goals and 19 assists. He is well on course to surpass his career high of 37 points from last season. With Victor Hedman (elbow) out until February, Raddysh will play a prominent role on Tampa's blue line for several more weeks.

Dec 23

Anthony Cirelli • C • Lightning

Anthony Cirelli Available Against Hurricanes

Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) will play on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Cirelli didn't finish Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Kings due to an undisclosed injury. However, he won't miss additional time and will remain in the lineup against Carolina. Cirelli has contributed nine goals and 10 assists in 30 outings this term. He has been slumping offensively for a while, finishing nine of his last 11 games pointless. The 28-year-old last scored a goal nearly a month ago, lighting the lamp on Nov. 24 in a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Dec 20

Brandon Hagel • LW • Lightning

Brandon Hagel Added to Injured Reserve

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel (upper body) was placed on Injured Reserve on Saturday, Diandra Loux of The Hockey News reports. He will miss his second consecutive game on Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes and won't be eligible to be activated until Dec. 27. Tampa Bay also faces the St. Louis Blues on Monday before the Christmas break. Hagel tops the Lightning with 18 goals and has accumulated 31 points over 32 games. In Hagel's absence, Gage Goncalves has landed in a top-six role, but he isn't expected to make a significant impact.

Dec 20

Nikita Kucherov • RW • Lightning

Nikita Kucherov a Game-Time Call Saturday

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (illness) is a game-time decision for Saturday's tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes. On Thursday, Kucherov was a late scratch for a meeting with the Los Angeles Kings. He has been dealing with an illness and didn't skate on Saturday morning. Kucherov has once again been a scoring machine with the Lightning, notching 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) in 30 outings. Brandon Hagel (upper body) has already been ruled out for Saturday, giving Gage Goncalves a top-six job. However, he has limited fantasy value, producing seven points (two goals, five assists) in 30 appearances this season.

Dec 20

Anthony Cirelli • C • Lightning

Anthony Cirelli Injured in Thursday's Loss

Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) left Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in the third period. The Lightning were without Nikita Kucherov (illness) and Brandon Hagel (upper body) for the contest and lost Cirelli after he had collected a power-play assist. The team may now be missing half of its top-six group in this week's final game, a matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Cirelli is third on the Lightning roster with a plus-15 rating and has amassed 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 30 appearances.

Dec 19

Andrei Vasilevskiy • G • Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy Back for Lightning Thursday

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The team activated Vasilevskiy from Injured Reserve earlier this week, while reassigning Brandon Halverson to the minors. It's unclear whether Vasilevskiy will start the contest. However, having the former Vezina winner back is definitely good news for the Lightning. The Russian netminder has won 11 of his last 14 starts, carrying an 11-6-2 record for the season. He has recorded one shutout, allowing 2.31 goals with a .917 save percentage. The Kings average the fifth-fewest goals in the NHL (2.58), making this a good matchup for Vasilevskiy if he returns to the crease on Thursday.

Dec 18

Ryan McDonagh • D • Lightning

Ryan McDonagh Available Thursday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed) was activated from Injured Reserve and is poised to end an 18-game absence on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Kings. Declan Carlile is expected to come out of the lineup to accommodate McDonagh's return. Tampa's blue line has been badly hit by injuries this season, and McDonagh hasn't seen any action since Nov. 8. Erik Cernak (undisclosed), Victor Hedman (elbow), and Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) remain out against L.A., so McDonagh could have a heavy workload in his return. The veteran rearguard has managed six points (three goals, three assists) in 15 outings this season, sending 15 shots on goal and blocking 26 efforts from the opposition.

Dec 18

Brandon Hagel • LW • Lightning

Brandon Hagel Makes Early Exit Monday

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel (undisclosed) failed to complete Monday's 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers. He exited the game in the third period after taking an elbow to the head from Panthers defenseman Seth Jones. Hagel has struggled recently, going scoreless five times in his last six appearances, but he is still averaging nearly a point per game for the season. In 32 games, Hagel has posted 18 goals and 31 points. He ranks first among Tampa Bay forwards with a plus-18 rating. Nicholas Paul, who was limited to a fourth-line role on Monday, may return to the top six if Hagel misses time.

Dec 16

Andrei Vasilevskiy • G • Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy Expected to Return Before Christmas

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) will remain out on Monday against the Florida Panthers but is nearing his return. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters on Monday morning that he's hopeful Vasilevskiy will return to action before Christmas. After Monday night, Tampa Bay has three more games scheduled before the holiday break. Jonas Johansson will remain between the sticks on Monday. Although Johansson has gone 2-3-1 over his last six starts, he has posted a strong 2.19 goals-against average with a .916 save percentage. The Swedish netminder will face a sharp offense on Monday, as the Panthers are averaging 3.13 goals per game this season.

Dec 15

Emil Lilleberg • D • Lightning

Emil Lilleberg Exits Early Saturday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) was limited to 13:30 of ice time in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Islanders. He missed the third period, leaving the Lightning without another blue-liner. Victor Hedman (shoulder), Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed), and Erik Cernak (undisclosed) all missed Saturday's game. Lilleberg's offensive contributions have been limited to two goals and four assists in 32 games this season. However, he is second on the team with 53 hits and averages a block per game. Due to Tampa's current injury situation, Darren Raddysh, J.J. Moser, and Charle-Edouard D'Astous are logging big minutes on the blue line.

Dec 14

Andrei Vasilevskiy • G • Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy Could Return Monday

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) won't play on Saturday afternoon against the New York Islanders but could return to action on Monday versus the Florida Panthers. He will miss a sixth consecutive game on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury. However, Vasilevskiy practiced on Friday and should be back between the sticks soon for Tampa. The Russian netminder owns an 11-6-2 record for the season and has registered a 2.31 goals-against average, along with a .917 save percentage and one shutout. Jonas Johansson has done a decent job as Vasilevskiy's replacement and will search for a third consecutive victory in Saturday's matchup.

Dec 12

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman to Be Out Until February

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman is scheduled to undergo elbow surgery on Monday and will be out until February. Hedman has already missed significant time this season and will be sidelined once again after aggravating a previous injury. He made just three appearances after a 12-game spell out. Hedman is expected to be fully ready for the Olympics tournament, which begins on Feb. 11. Declan Carlile took Hedman's spot in the lineup Thursday against the New Jersey Devils and could now have a regular role for several weeks. Meanwhile, Darren Raddysh's fantasy prospects continue to grow. He has become Tampa's top defenseman, eating up huge minutes and posting multiple points in back-to-back games.

Dec 12

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Placed on Injured Reserve

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (undisclosed) will miss at least one week of action after he was placed on Injured Reserve. Hedman only recently returned from a 12-game absence. Now, he must sit out at least three games due to an undisclosed injury he sustained during Tuesday's win over the Montreal Canadiens. Hedman's absence will begin on Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. To bolster its defensive depth, Tampa Bay has recalled Declan Carlile from the minors to take Hedman's spot on the roster. The major beneficiary of Hedman's injury will be Darren Raddysh, who has locked down a position on the first power-play unit. Raddysh is also seeing big minutes during even-strength play and has totaled 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) over his last 13 appearances.

Dec 11

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Suffers New Injury Blow

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (undisclosed) picked up another injury in Tuesday's win over the Montreal Canadiens. He was playing his third game after a nearly month-long injury layoff. Tampa's defensive star may now have to miss more time. Hedman's injury issues this season have given a massive boost to Darren Raddysh's fantasy stock. He has been a regular on the top power-play unit, logging at least 22 minutes of ice time in nine consecutive games. Raddysh has two of Tampa's goals in Tuesday's 6-1 victory. He has posted 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 24 games.

Dec 10

Brayden Point • C • Lightning

Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point Back for Lightning Monday

Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed) and Brayden Point (undisclosed) will rejoin the lineup on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kucherov is available after a one-game absence, while Point has sat out seven games. Both players will slot back into the top six and the first power play unit. Nicholas Paul, who has been filling in for Point as the second-line center, will also remain part of the top-six group. Meanwhile, Tampa's frontline will be without the services of Dominic James (undisclosed) and Curtis Douglas (undisclosed). Kucherov has been red-hot in recent weeks, recording six multi-point games in seven appearances. In contrast, Point has struggled this season, managing only three goals and eight assists in 21 games.

Dec 8

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