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The Tampa Bay Lightning were founded in 1992 by a group led by NHL legend Phil Esposito. The team’s first game was played on Oct. 7, 1992, versus the Chicago Blackhawks and resulted in a 7-4 victory. Throughout its history, the team has reached the playoffs 15 times and won three Stanley Cups—2004, 2020, and 2021. They have reached two additional Stanley Cup Finals, once in 2015 and again in 2022. They are one of the NHL’s most successful franchises the 2010s and 2020s.

Lightning News, Analysis & Commentary

NHL Rumors: Lightning, Canadiens, Bruins, Canucks, Oilers

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Tampa Bay Lightning need to make a decision in regards to their goaltending. How will they replace Andrei Vasilevskiy? Meanwhile, there are still teams looking at Matt Grzelcyk of the Boston Bruins. Will the Montreal Canadiens trade a forward? The Edmonton Oilers announced the departure of Steve Staios who goes to Ottawa. Finally, did the Vancouver Canucks pull a trade off the table with San Jose? Lightning May Try to Replace Vasilevskiy According to Pierre LeBrun, the Tampa Bay Lightning will look at a number of options after learning goaltender Andre Vasilevskiy will miss…

Lightning Stock Up, Stock Down: The First Two Preseason Games

Welcome to this edition of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stock Up and Stock Down, focusing on the Lightning’s first two exhibition games of the 2023-24 season. The Tampa Bay Lightning kicked off the exhibition part of the 2023-24 season with back-to-back games on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes (Sept. 26), followed by a contest on Wednesday against the Nashville Predators (Sept. 27). With the back-to-back contests, the Lightning consisted of two entirely different rosters for these games. Against the Hurricanes, they sent out their expected second and third lines of forwards, three of their regular defensemen, some other minor leaguers…

Lightning’s Goaltending Options With Vasilevskiy Out

Recently, the NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes reported that Tampa Bay Lightning star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy will be out 8-10 weeks after having back surgery. While this news is a bit surprising, it is known that Vasilevskiy has not seen much action in training camp, and head coach Jon Cooper told the media on Sunday (Sept. 24) that the former Vezina trophy winner was “day-to-day” but did not specify what the injury is and when he would return. At the end of last season, Vasilevskiy explained in his exit interview that from games 30 to 35 in the regular season, he…

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Lightning FAQ

What year were the Tampa Bay Lightning founded?

The Tampa Bay Lightning were founded in 1992 by a group led by NHL legend Phil Esposito.

When did the Tampa Bay Lightning play their first game?

The team’s first game was played on Oct. 7, 1992, versus the Chicago Blackhawks and resulted in a 7-4 victory.

Who is the current head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning?

Jon Cooper is the current head coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning.