Even though Rick Tocchet spent most of last season behind the bench running the Lightning, the former four-time all-star essentially is a rookie coach trying to lead a once-proud franchise back to being a contender. ...more

December 23, 2009

The long and winding road through three time zones finally came to an end Monday night, but along the way there were been some bumps and bruises. ...more

December 22, 2009

The winter weather that walloped the East Coast on Saturday sent the Lightning scrambling to rearrange travel plans. ...more

December 20, 2009

By self definition, the Lightning offense exploded on Friday night. Stuck in the middle of a three-week long scoring drought, Tampa Bay lit up the St. Louis Blues for a 6-3 victory. The six goals exceeded the Lightning's entire output in the first four games of a six-game road trip that concludes Monday at the New York Islanders. ...more

December 19, 2009

By self definition, the Lightning offense exploded on Friday night. Stuck in the middle of a three-week long scoring drought, Tampa Bay lit up the St. Louis Blues for a 6-3 victory. The six goals exceeded the Lightning's entire output in the first four games of a six-game road trip that concludes Monday at the New York Islanders. ...more

December 19, 2009

Generally by the time December rolls around in the NHL, team identities are clearly defined. It's also the time of season when teams that fall back in the standings often get left behind. ...more

December 13, 2009

Tampa Bay's 12-day excursion across the Midwest region of the U.S. got off to a positive start, just not as well as hoped. ...more

December 12, 2009

New York Islanders 2009 overall No. 1 pick John Tavares is no stranger to Lightning 2008 No. 1 pick Steven Stamkos. The pair played on the same youth team for a few years, helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships and squared off many times in the Ontario Hockey League. ...more

December 6, 2009

As Mike Smith returned to the ice on Saturday to take his turn for a celebratory circle of the ice to deliver a souvenir puck to the crowd after his first star selection, the Lightning goaltender let out his loudest impersonation of wrestler Rick Flair. ...more

December 6, 2009

TONIGHT'S GAME WHO: New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning ...more

December 5, 2009