TAMPA – Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the Buffalo Sabres at Amalie Arena … More on April 13, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio\/NHLI via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
NHLI via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Following a 2-0 setback at Detroit on the evening of January 25, the Tampa Bay Lightning sported a 26-19-3 mark that was good for 55 points and a rather ho-hum .541 points percentage. Two days later, general manager Julien BriseBois began his mid-season media session by pointing out how strong the Bolts, victorious in only six of their previous 15 games, were in many key categories. <\/p>\n
BriseBois noted that after 48 games Tampa Bay was No. 1 in goals scored, No. 3 in goal differential, No. 4 on the powerplay and top 10 in other areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have these strong underlying numbers, especially the goal differential, unless you are a very good hockey team made up of very good hockey players that are very well coached,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
In other words, everything would fall into place if the Lightning kept playing as they had. Though they noticeably outplayed the visiting Blackhawks the following evening only to lose, 4-1, the club went 21-7-5 over the final 33 games for a .712 points percentage. That included a 2-2-1 mark after clinching a playoff spot. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere are 32 teams and only 16 left,\u201d said coach Jon Cooper, whose team piled up 104 points and earned home ice advantage in the first round of the postseason, with which the curtain rises for the Bolts on Tuesday evening against the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers. \u201cWe are one of the 16. I think every year we get looked at as \u2018their time is over,\u2019 and every year we come back and prove we can do it. It has been amazing to be a part of for over a decade. Hopefully, the group makes many more memories and I am excited to see what we can do in the playoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here are five reasons why Cooper, 12 years behind the Bolts bench, and his team can make more memories at Amalie Arena this spring.<\/p>\n
Nikita Kucherov<\/p>\n
To see is to believe, though the eyes often deceive. Truly a magician with the puck, the Art Ross winner<\/a> as the NHL\u2019s leading scorer (121 points) for a third time made a great case for his second Hart Trophy as the league\u2019s MVP. Alas, it goes beyond the impressive numbers for Kucherov.<\/p>\n In the second period against visiting Pittsburgh on March 25, \u2018Kuch\u2019 was shoved slightly from behind by the Penguins Ryan Graves and sandwiched between the defenseman and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic. Kucherov\u2019s face hit Nedeljkovic\u2019s mask resulting in three chipped teeth and a trip down the tunnel to get checked out.<\/p>\n Graves was called for interference and with time ticking away on the man advantage, Kucherov emerged from the tunnel, hopped onto the ice and put the puck behind Nedeljkovic with eight seconds remaining on the power play. It was Kucherov\u2019s third of three points in a 6-1 win.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s one thing about Kuch,\u201d said Brandon Hagel. \u201cHe is a 100-point guy, but he wants to be out there and battle with the guys no matter (what). I mean, losing teeth, that isn\u2019t fun. I can attest to that. But that\u2019s just what \u2018Kuch\u2019 does and that\u2019s why he\u2019s loved by his teammates and considered a gamer.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/p>\n An elite goalie, let alone one that has often been considered the world\u2019s best during his decade in the league, gives a team more than a fighting chance to win it all. The 30-year-old Vasilevskiy was fourth in both goals against (career best 2.18) and save percentage (.921) \u2013 figures that were second among goalies who played at least half his team\u2019s games \u2013 and his six shutouts were second. In other words, much Vezina Trophy consideration should come his way. (Although, Winnipeg\u2019s Connor Hellebuyck did a clean sweep to league leadership<\/a> in every major category.)<\/p>\n Cooper was good about giving Vasilevskiy, who has one Vezina (2018-19), one Conn Smythe (2021) and a pair of Cup rings to his credit, sufficient rest as Jonas Johansson made 18 starts. There is no reason to think \u2018Vasy\u2019 will not perform at a very high level this playoff year following a regular season in which the timing of many of his highlight-reel saves gave his teammates a lift when it was needed most.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s bailing us out at the right time, always,\u201d said defenseman Erik Cernak. \u201cI think this season he has been unreal.\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed, the \u2018Big Cat,\u2019 who sustained a back injury during training camp ahead of the 2023-24 season that sidelined him for two months, does everything he can to make himself and his teammates better.<\/p>\n \u201cVasy is one of the best to ever do it,\u201d said Victor Hedman<\/a>, who had the \u2018C\u2019 sewn on his sweater after Steven Stamkos departed. \u201cThe way he prepares and the way he plays the game and practices, it is not a fluke. Such a great guy, and a great goaltender who comes up with big saves at the right moments.\u201d<\/p>\n TAMPA – Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning makes a save against Nick Schmaltz of the Utah … More Hockey Club at Amalie Arena on March 27, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson\/NHLI via Getty Images)<\/p>\n NHLI via Getty Images The power play clicked at 25.9 percent to place fifth. Jake Guentzel\u2019s 17 powerplay goals led the league and Brayden Point tied for second (Leon Draisaitl) with 16. The penalty kill checked in at 81.5 percent to rank seventh. The PK also recorded 11 shorthanded goals to rank third with Anthony Cirelli (4) and Hagel (3) combining for seven.<\/p>\n Cooper credited assistant coach Jeff Blashill for having a \u201creal good plan\u201d with killing penalties and how new personnel adapted to that plan.<\/p>\n \u201cThe chemistry grew as the season went on,\u201d he said. \u201cYou bring new guys in and new PK systems, so it takes a little bit of time. I think we have a good feel for each other and the system.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nSpecial Teams<\/p>\n