Andrei Vasilevskiy
FILE - Russia forward Vladimir Tarasenko wraps the puck around the goal against Slovakia forward Branko Radivojevic in the first period of a men's ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. A handful of NHL players are voicing frustration over the decision not to allow them to go to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing. Tarasenko said on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, he would have gone if given the choice. Keeping the season going while allowing individual players to choose whether to go was not something that was ever considered.(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
NHL players vent frustration over being barred from Olympics

By Stephen Whyno Dec. 29, 2021 05:54 AM EST

Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) celebrates a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during first-period preseason NHL hockey game action in Edmonton, Alberta, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
NHL Preview: What to know about the 2021-22 season

By Larry Lage, John Wawrow And Stepen Whyno Oct. 11, 2021 02:23 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Lightning's Luke Schenn (2) checks Chicago Blackhawks' Philipp Kurashev behind the net during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in Chicago. The Lightning won 7-4. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Lightning clinch playoff spot with 7-4 victory over Chicago

By Matt Carlson Apr. 27, 2021 10:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 26, 2019, file photo, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies' William Cyr, center, celebrates with teammates after a win over the Halifax Mooseheads to win the Memorial Cup hockey championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Memorial Cup championship for the Canadian Hockey League was canceled for a second consecutive year because of the pandemic. The Ontario Hockey League on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, abandoned its plans to hold a season, a move that complicates the evaluation of many players eligible for the 2021 NHL draft. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Dent in the pipeline: NHL draft-eligible players take a hit

By Stephen Whyno Apr. 21, 2021 02:05 AM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, right, celebrates after left wing Max Pacioretty, left, scored against the Minnesota Wild during overtime of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
No Fun NHL? Restrictions help players appreciate hockey more

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 03, 2021 10:52 AM EST

FILE - Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin (35) makes a save against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton, Alberta, in this Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, file photo. Khudobin signed a $10 million, three-year contract to stay with the Stars. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Stanley Cup finalists land in NHL's altered Central Division

By Larry Lage Jan. 08, 2021 04:29 PM EST

Lightning embrace challenge of defending Stanley Cup title

By Fred Goodall Jan. 05, 2021 07:45 PM EST
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Winning Stanley Cup championships in consecutive seasons is rare. The Tampa Bay Lightning are confident they can do it. ...

FILE - In this Friday, April 24, 2015, file photo, New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) celebrates after Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs in New York. The Rangers won 2-1. The New York Rangers have bought out the contract of star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers parted with one of the greatest netminders in franchise history on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, when they paid off the final year of his contract. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
Goalies get shuffled in NHL free agency; Lightning depleted

By John Wawrow Oct. 09, 2020 01:04 PM EDT

Members of the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL hockey team hold up the Stanley Cup during the first half of an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. The Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars earlier this week to win the cup. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
The Latest: Ramsey, Tate fight after Rams-Giants game

By The Associated Press Oct. 04, 2020 12:38 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Lightning players surround NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman as they celebrate after defeating the Dallas Stars to win the Stanley Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Bubble hockey champions: Tampa Bay Lightning win Stanley Cup

By Stephen Whyno Sep. 28, 2020 11:05 PM EDT

Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) ducks as Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a glove save during the second period of an NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey game in Toronto, Ontario, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Lightning beat Bruins 3-2, improve to 2-0 in seeding round

Aug. 05, 2020 07:00 PM EDT