Vinny Lecavalier says they're close. The Lightning captain said Tampa Bay's .500 start through the first three weeks doesn't reflect the improved talent level on a young roster that has had difficulty closing out games. ...more

October 30, 2009

When a team has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, there aren't too many games on the schedule that could be qualified as "big." ...more

March 27, 2009

Seen Stamkos? And how. Hockey season is winding down. In many ways the end can't come soon enough for the Lightning. Then you see the kid. ...more

March 26, 2009

Two teams headed for tee times next month teamed up for a tilt worthy of more meaningful times. ...more

March 18, 2009

The short-term effects resulting from trade deadline day transactions pain the Lightning. General Manager Brian Lawton hopes the long-term effects result in gain. ...more

March 5, 2009

Lightning center and No. 1 overall pick Steven Stamkos is making the transition this season from junior star to NHL regular. Throughout the season, the 18-year-old from Markham, Ontario, will share his experiences with Tribune writer Erik Erlendsson to give readers an insight into a new way of life during his rookie journey. ...more

February 22, 2009

Tonight's Lightning opponent has survived the lean years and stockpiled impressive young talent. ...more

February 17, 2009

TAMPA When Rick Tocchet was promoted — I guess we'd call it that — to head coach of the Lightning on Nov. 14, we can all agree he was handed a basically impossible job. The circus stunt experiment with Barry Melrose had been a disaster. The roster was an incompatible mess of ill-matched players, and no one was sure what could be done to fix it. ...more

February 8, 2009

Tampa Bay welcomed back an old friend Monday night, greeting Brad Richards with open arms in his return to town. The former Lightning star was even applauded when he scored a goal two minutes into the game. ...more

January 20, 2009

Once upon a time, Vinny, Marty and Richy were the trio that was going to make the Lighting good for years and years. ...more

January 19, 2009