Lightning News

EASTERN ATLANTIC

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Reveals Reason for Absence

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (personal) revealed on Tuesday that he missed the end of the season to focus on his mental health. The Lightning captain didn't play in the playoffs and sat out the final 15 regular-season games. "I've always believed that being a leader means doing what's best for the team," Hedman said in a social media statement. "In this case, it also meant doing what was necessary to take care of myself, so I can be the best player, teammate, husband and father I expect to be." In his statement, Hedman noted he's "in a much better place today." Hedman played in a career-low 33 games in 2025-26, posting 17 points (one goal, 16 assists). This was the first season of Hedman's four-year, $32 million contract.

4 days ago

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Will Not Play Sunday Versus Montreal

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman gave fans and fantasy playoff managers a glimmer of brief hope on Sunday. However, head coach Jon Cooper said no when asked if Hedman would return against the Montreal Canadiens. Hedman will be given more time to get into game shape. It has been a brutal season for the former Norris Trophy winner. Hedman had missed 49 games and only had 17 points in 33 contests with one goal. Tampa Bay arguably has gained back the momentum in the series, which may be good news, as Hedman still does not appear 100%.

6 days ago

Charle-Edouard D'Astous • D • Lightning

Charle-Edouard D'Astous Ready for Action Friday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) is set to rejoin the lineup in Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. D'Astous has been unavailable to the Lightning since suffering an undisclosed injury in Game 1 against the Canadiens. His return will bump Maxwell Crozier to the press box. D'Astous adds physicality to the Lightning lineup and can chip in offensively. He finished the regular season with 29 points (six goals, 23 assists), 80 SOG, 74 blocks, 96 hits, and 112 penalty minutes in 70 outings.

May 1

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman to Be an Option "Really Soon"

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (personal) is close to returning to action but will remain out on Friday in Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports. "He's going to be an option really soon," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters Friday morning. Hedman hasn't played since March 19. He first dropped out of the lineup due to illness and soon afterward took a personal leave. If Tampa doesn't win Friday night, Hedman won't get another chance to return this season. Darren Raddysh will continue to play a huge role on the blue line in Friday's elimination game.

May 1

Charle-Edouard D'Astous • D • Lightning

Charle-Edouard D'Astous a Game-Time Call Wednesday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) could return to action in Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, as he is considered a game-time decision. The 28-year-old has missed the last three games after suffering an undisclosed injury in the series opener. D'Astous had a decent debut campaign in 2025-26, totaling 29 points (six goals, 23 assists), 80 SOG, 74 blocks, and 96 hits in 70 contests. Maxwell Crozier and Declan Carlisle have filled in for D'Astous on the Lightning defense. Tampa Bay used Crozier in Game 4, and he will likely come out of the lineup on Wednesday night if D'Astous is ready to return.

Apr 29

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Logs Full Practice

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (personal) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com reports. Due to illness and personal reasons, the Lightning captain hasn't seen any action for more than a month, but he appears to be nearing his return. Last week, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper mentioned Hedman was on "the doubtful side" for the first-round series against Montreal. Cooper continues to hold his cards close to his heart. "That's hard to say right now," Cooper said after Tuesday's practice when quizzed about a potential timeline for Hedman's return. "But he's progressing. Like, he's taking steps. So, that's a positive side for us." With Hedman unavailable, Darren Raddysh has led the Lightning's blue line in the playoffs. He has registered two points (one goal, one assist), 14 SOG, and 10 hits in four games.

Apr 29

Brandon Hagel • LW • Lightning

Brandon Hagel Pops Up With Two Goals in Sunday's Win

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel continued to terrorize the Montreal Canadiens defense on Sunday, scoring two third-period goals in a 3-2 comeback victory. He tied the game early in the period with a power-play marker and knotted the series at two with an even-strength goal five minutes from the end. Hagel has scored in all four games against Montreal, becoming the first player in Lightning history with as many as six goals through the first four games of a postseason campaign. He's the third Tampa player with a four-game goal streak in the playoffs, joining Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier. Remarkably, Hagel has lit the lamp six times with only nine attempts on net. He has also picked up one assist in the series, bringing his total to seven points this postseason -- tied with four other players, including teammate Jake Guentzel, for the second-most in the league.

Apr 27

Maxwell Crozier • D • Lightning

Maxwell Crozier to Replace Declan Carlile Sunday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Maxwell Crozier is expected to draw into the lineup for Sunday's Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Declan Carlile has been used as a replacement for Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) in a couple of games, but the team will turn to Crozier on Sunday night. The 26-year-old did a decent job on defense during the regular season, registering 10 points (one goal, nine assists), 46 SOG, 31 blocks, 39 hits, and a plus-five rating in 35 contests.

Apr 26

Charle-Edouard D'Astous • D • Lightning

Charle-Edouard D'Astous Unavailable Friday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) will miss Friday's Game 3 against the Montreal Canadiens, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The 28-year-old was injured in the series opener last weekend and didn't play in Tuesday's Game 2. There was a chance D'Astous would return on Friday night after traveling with the team, but he will remain out. Victor Hedman (personal) also isn't ready to return, allowing Declan Carlile and Emil Lilleberg to stay in the lineup. Meanwhile, Darren Raddysh and J.J. Moser will continue to split power-play duties among the defensemen.

Apr 24

Pontus Holmberg • RW • Lightning

Pontus Holmberg Will Miss Round 1

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Pontus Holmberg (upper body) won't be an option during the first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. On Wednesday, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said Holmberg was still "a few weeks" away from returning. The Swedish forward suffered an upper-body injury in early April, finishing the regular-season campaign with 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists), 90 SOG, and 66 hits in 70 contests. Once he returns to full health, Holmberg will be in contention for a bottom-six role.

Apr 22

Charle-Edouard D'Astous • D • Lightning

Charle-Edouard D'Astous Could Be an Option Friday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) has traveled with the team to Montreal for Games 3 and 4 of the first-round series, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. The first-round matchup continues on Friday, and D'Astous could be an option to rejoin the lineup after sitting out Game 2 with an undisclosed injury. "He's getting better," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said of D'Astous on Wednesday. "He's progressing, so hopefully he'll be skating here in Montreal and then we'll see from there." If D'Astous isn't ready to return, Declan Carlile figures to remain in the lineup. He logged 17:38 of ice time in his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut on Tuesday, recording one SOG, one hit, and a minus-one rating in a 3-2 overtime win.

Apr 22

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Traveling With Team

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (personal) is traveling with the team for Games 3 and 4 against the Montreal Canadiens, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said Hedman's return is on "the doubtful side for this series." His comeback during the series appears unlikely, but it's good to see Hedman joining the Lightning for the road games. The Swedish veteran has been out of the lineup for more than a month because of illness and personal reasons. Without Hedman, the blue line leans heavily on Darren Raddysh, J.J. Moser, and Ryan McDonagh.

Apr 22

Brandon Hagel • LW • Lightning

Brandon Hagel Records Tampa Bay's First Postseason Gordie Howe Hat Trick

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel continued his good start to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs by recording the first postseason Gordie Howe hat trick in franchise history during Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens. Hagel scored Tampa's first goal, set up Nikita Kucherov for the second, and fought Juraj Slafkovsky. The two 30-goal scorers clashed early in the second period, with Slafkovsky taken down by a right-handed punch from Hagel. Following his two-goal effort in Game 1, Hagel has become only the fourth player in Lightning history to start a postseason with back-to-back multi-point games.

Apr 22

Nikita Kucherov • RW • Lightning

Nikita Kucherov Ends 16-Game Postseason Goal Drought

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov scored a third-period game-tying goal in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime victory against the Montreal Canadiens. Incredibly, the former MVP hadn't scored a postseason goal for three years, firing blanks in 14 consecutive games. With the monkey off his back now, it will be interesting to see whether Kucherov will go on a scoring streak. He hasn't found the back of the net in consecutive games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Rangers. Although Kucherov has lacked puck luck in front of the net in the postseason, he has still been a point-per-game player. This year, Kucherov has tallied one goal and two assists through his first two playoff outings.

Apr 22

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Doubtful to Play in Round 1

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (personal) isn't expected to play during the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports. Before Tuesday's Game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters Hedman's return is on "the doubtful side for this series." The Lightning captain has missed a month of action due to illness and personal reasons. With Hedman in and out of the lineup in 2025-26, Darren Raddysh has been outstanding in an expanded role all season on Tampa's blue line and also made a mark in Sunday's Game 1 against Montreal, scoring a power-play goal.

Apr 21

Charle-Edouard D'Astous • D • Lightning

Charle-Edouard D'Astous Unavailable Tuesday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) will miss Game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports. His absence isn't surprising, as D'Astous was injured in the series opener last weekend. On Monday, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper labeled D'Astous as doubtful for Game 2. Declan Carlile will slot into defense, making his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut. One of Carlisle's last appearances was against Montreal on April 9, where he racked up 17 penalty minutes. The 25-year-old is known for his physical style of play, finishing the regular season with 40 penalty minutes and 51 hits in 42 games.

Apr 21

Charle-Edouard D'Astous • D • Lightning

Charle-Edouard D'Astous Doubtful for Game 2

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) is doubtful for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He was injured in Sunday's series opener and didn't practice on Monday. According to Lightning head Jon Cooper, Maxwell Crozier and Declan Carlile are in contention to fill in for D'Astous in Tuesday's game. Carlile skated with D'Astous's partner Emil Lilleberg on Monday. Tuesday's game would be Carlile's Stanley Cup Playoffs debut. He appeared in 42 games during the regular season but didn't do much from a fantasy perspective. Carlile recorded three points (one goal, two assists), 33 SOG, 38 blocks, and 51 hits.

Apr 20

Jake Guentzel • LW • Lightning

Jake Guentzel Records Three Assists Sunday

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel contributed on offense with three assists in Sunday's 4-3 overtime defeat against the Montreal Canadiens. He helped Darren Raddysh bag a power-play goal and set up Brandon Hagel twice, with his second goal also coming on the power play. Guentzel became the second player in Lightning history to record a hat trick of assists in a playoff opener. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, the 31-year-old star forward also had a negative impact in the game. With 21 seconds remaining in regulation, Guentzel received a high-sticking penalty, and Montreal scored on the ensuing power play early in overtime. In total, there were five power-play goals in this contest, so it appears special teams will play a crucial role in this matchup.

Apr 20

Charle-Edouard D'Astous • D • Lightning

Charle-Edouard D'Astous Hurt in Game 1 Loss

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) exited Sunday's Game 1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens midway through the second period, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The 27-year-old rookie couldn't finish the contest after drawing a charging penalty from Canadiens forward Josh Anderson. With Tampa Bay's blue line battling all sorts of injuries, D'Astous has stepped up this season, recording 29 points (six goals, 23 assists), 80 SOG, 74 blocks, and 96 hits in 70 regular-season games. In an ideal world, the Lightning would love to get Victor Hedman (personal) back in the lineup for Game 2, but Declan Carlile is the likely replacement for D'Astous if needed.

Apr 20

Dominic James • C • Lightning

Dominic James Activated From Injured Reserve

Tampa Bay Lightning center Dominic James (lower body) has been activated from Injured Reserve, Diandra Loux of The Hockey News reports. The 23-year-old is set to return to action in Sunday's Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens. James last played on Feb. 28, when he suffered a lower-body injury in a loss to Buffalo. He was expected to miss at least eight weeks after surgery, but the speedy forward is ready to return sooner. James finished his rookie campaign with 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 43 games. On Saturday, James practiced on the fourth line and also worked with the second power-play unit.

Apr 19

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