Photo Credit: Daily Faceoff
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The Tampa Bay Lightning enter 2026-27 with plenty of familiar faces and high expectations. Tampa Bay finished 50-26-6 last season and placed second in the Atlantic Division. However, the Montreal Canadiens ended their season in seven games. That loss extended Tampa Bay’s first-round playoff streak to four consecutive seasons. The Lightning have not won a playoff series since reaching the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. Now, the Lightning want to avoid making it five straight first-round exits. They also enter another 84-game regular season under head coach Jon Cooper.
The schedule brings plenty of important matchups. Tampa Bay opens the season October 1 against the New York Rangers. The Lightning then host the Washington Capitals on October 3. The Bolts will also face the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes on November 25. That game marks Carolina’s only visit to Tampa during the regular season. Meanwhile, Montreal visits Tampa on December 31. The Canadiens return again for an April 8 matchup. Those games should carry extra attention after Montreal eliminated Tampa Bay last spring. The series featured seven one-goal games. Tampa Bay also lost Game 7 at home.
Kucherov Remains the Offensive Engine
Nikita Kucherov remains the biggest offensive difference-maker on the roster. The reigning Hart Trophy winner produced 130 points last season. He also scored 44 goals while finishing second in the NHL scoring race. Kucherov enters 2026-27 with another massive opportunity. NHL.com projects him for 125 points this season. His chemistry with Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel gives Tampa a dangerous top line. Kucherov also continues to drive the team’s power play. However, his contract situation adds another storyline. Kucherov can become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Point Looks for a Bounce-Back Season
Brayden Point could become one of Tampa Bay’s most important players this season. Point dealt with multiple injuries during the 2025-26 campaign. He played 63 games and scored 18 goals. That total marked his lowest since his rookie season. Point previously scored at least 40 goals in three straight seasons. A healthy Point could dramatically change Tampa’s offensive ceiling. The Lightning need him closer to his previous production. He remains one of the team’s most dangerous offensive weapons.
Guentzel and Hagel Bring Secondary Scoring
Jake Guentzel gives Tampa another proven scoring option. Guentzel set career highs with 88 points and 50 assists last season. He also scored 38 goals during the campaign. Brandon Hagel also enters the season after another productive year. He scored a career-high 36 goals and finished with 70 points. Hagel has now reached at least 25 goals in four consecutive seasons. Anthony Cirelli also remains important, especially in defensive situations. He finished second in the Selke Trophy voting last season. Together, that group gives Tampa plenty of scoring depth.
Vasilevskiy Leads the Defense from the Crease
Andrei Vasilevskiy remains another major reason for Tampa Bay’s expectations. The veteran goaltender won his second Vezina Trophy last season. He led the NHL with 39 wins and posted a 2.31 goals-against average. Vasilevskiy also owns nine consecutive 30-win seasons. His consistency remains vital during the long regular season. More importantly, he must deliver when the playoffs arrive. Tampa Bay also added veteran defenseman John Carlson during the offseason. Carlson signed a two-year contract after producing 60 points last season. Carlson replaces Darren Raddysh, who joined the Toronto Maple Leafs. Raddysh posted 70 points last season. Victor Hedman also returns after missing the final 15 regular-season games. He also missed all seven playoff games. Hedman’s return could provide a significant boost to Tampa’s blue line.
Games Lightning Fans Should Circle
The season includes several games worth marking on the calendar. Tampa Bay hosts Washington on October 3 for its home opener. The Hurricanes arrive November 25 for their only Tampa visit. The Lightning then face Montreal on December 31. That matchup offers an early reminder of last spring’s playoff disappointment. The rivalry with Florida also deserves plenty of attention. Tampa Bay hosts the Panthers on February 16 and March 23. Those games could also carry major Atlantic Division implications. The Lightning play 28 games against Atlantic Division opponents. They face each divisional rival four times. Tampa also plays 24 games against Metropolitan Division teams. The remaining 32 contests come against Western Conference opponents.
The Pressure Builds in Tampa
Tampa Bay still has the talent to compete with the NHL’s top teams. Kucherov remains an elite offensive force. Vasilevskiy remains one of hockey’s premier goaltenders. Point has a chance to rebound. Guentzel and Hagel give the lineup additional scoring punch. Meanwhile, Hedman and Carlson provide experience on defense. The Lightning also retained most of the roster from last season. That continuity could help them navigate the new 84-game schedule. Still, regular-season success will not satisfy this group anymore. Tampa Bay has not won a playoff series since 2022. The team knows another early exit would create even more questions. The Lightning have another chance in 2026-27. This time, they want the season to continue well beyond the opening playoff round.
This is a big season for the Tampa Bay Lightning because the window for winning Stanley Cups could be closing.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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