Battle of Florida Returns to Playoff & Kucherov Wins Art Ross
Also, the Lightning players who helped deny Auston Matthews 70 goals.
Welcome to the THW Tampa Bay Lightning Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Lightning writers.
Nikita Kucherov Takes Home Second Art Ross Trophy
April 19, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
Nikita Kucherov captures the Art Ross Trophy once again. Nikita Kucherov beat out the competition with 144 points in a near season-long race, which at times was between as many as three players – the other two being Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid. This is the second-most points by an NHL player in the last 28 years – the most being Connor McDavid’s 153 points just a season ago.
Lightning & Panthers Facing Off in Latest Playoff Battle of Florida
April 18, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
For just the third time ever, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers are set to face off in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. All three have happened in the last four seasons. When both teams take the ice, we might be in for the most intense “Battle of Florida” to date.
The 2 Unknown Lightning Who Kept Matthews From Getting 70
April 18, 2024 by Jim Bay
Auston Matthews was held in check for the second straight night Wednesday in a 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, finishing the schedule with an amazing 69 goals in 81 games. The Toronto Maple Leafs sniper was looking to become the first NHL player to score 70 goals in more than three decades. Ryan Reaves, TJ Brodie, Pontus Holmberg, and John Tavares had the goals for the Leafs, who pulled their goalie late in the game, even down three goals as they desperately attempted to get Matthews one last chance to reach the 70-goal plateau.
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Revisiting the Maple Leafs’ Darcy Tucker Trade
April 16, 2024 by Spencer Lazary
It has been 24 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Darcy Tucker from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade on Feb. 9, 2000, and it had fans very interested. Although Tucker wasn’t as big of a name that Leafs’ fans came to love, his trade price wasn’t astronomical. The Maple Leafs gave up a roster player and a collection of draft picks, and in return, got Tucker, who headlined the trade, as well as two draft picks.
Lightning Sign Dylan Duke to Entry-Level Contract
April 15, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
The Tampa Bay Lightning made a long-awaited signing. They announced in a press release that they have inked prospect Dylan Duke to a three-year entry-level contract.
5 Lightning Players Who Are Key to a Long Playoff Run in 2024
April 14, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are less than two weeks away. The Tampa Bay Lightning have clinched their spot and have a few games left to ride out and finish on a high note. But when playoff time comes, it’s all hands on deck. It’s going to take some key members of this Lightning team to do their part to have a shot at their third Stanley Cup in five years.
Which Other Florida Cities Could Support an NHL Team?
April 13, 2024 by Harrison Smajovits (Premium THW Substack Content)
The sport of hockey has come a long way in Florida. Once an unthinkable idea has become one of the bigger success stories. The Tampa Bay Lightning have been selling out nearly every game for years and winning ways have led to a long-awaited awaited packed arena for the Florida Panthers.
Should both teams continue to sustain strong attendance for a longer period, maybe another city in Florida could make a bid for their own. There are other cities in Florida with their own geographical identities that would embrace the idea of an NHL team to call their own, even if they support one of the existing ones.