On the whole, the Tampa Bay Lightning is an elite pro sports franchise. Namely, owner Jeffrey Vinik made the Lighting winners on and off the ice. Since 2014, the Tampa Bay Lightning missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs only one time. Consider that exception being a team that had a .573-win percentage in 2017. Tampa Bay won the successive Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. By contrast, the Lightning are paying the price for that NHL future odds success this year. The salary cap, fatigue, and age eventually catch up with the best of teams. Now Tampa Bay is in that predicament.
NHL Lightning 2024 Stanley Cup Odds
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Odds |
|---|---|
| 2024 Stanley Cup Odds: | +1800 |
Tampa Bay Team Overview
At the approach of the All-Star Break, the Tampa Bay Lightning are 26-18-5 straight up and 20-20-3 over/under the online betting total. Also, Tampa Bay is 3rd in the Atlantic Division playoff standings. Tampa Bay is 12 points behind the Boston Bruins in the Atlantic Division Conference playoff race. Late on, Boston has covered seven out of their last eight games. At the same time, the Bruins have gone over the total in five of its previous nine matchups.
Tampa Bay has NHL rankings of 11th for goals scored and 1st for power play efficiency. In comparison on defense, the Lightning have NHL rankings of 22nd for goals against and 12th for penalty killing. The Lightning’s biggest problem is its decline in defensive corps. In comparison to its championship days, the blue line is not as good. If head coach Jon Cooper can’t tighten up the defense, the Lightning will struggle to earn a playoff spot.
Lightning Key Players, Goaltending, and Coach
Jon Cooper took over as head coach at the end of the 2012-13 season and has become one of the elite bench bosses in the sport. In sum, his career record is 480-250-67. Cooper has two Stanley Cup championships and a conference title.
Goaltender Andre Vasilevskiy is one of the most respected and accomplished netminders in the NHL. Vasi is a five-time All-Star and the 2021 Conn Smythe Trophy winner. He has a stunning career save percentage of .919.
Captain Steven Stamkos continues to be an effective NHL odds asset and offensive threat for the Lightning. The first overall pick of the 2008 NHL Draft has played his entire career for Tampa Bay. Still, at age 33, Stamkos is productive. The center scored 34 goals with 50 assists last year. In 1003 career games, Stamkos has 515 goals and 541 assists for 1056 points. Stamkos is a seven-time All-Star. Also, he is a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goal scorer.
Nikita Kucherov is far and away the best layer on the Lightning. So far, in 43 games, Kucherov had 28 goals with 44 assists and 72 points. Kucherov is coming off a strong 2022-23 season with 30 goals, 83 assists and 113 points. In 644 career games, Kucherov has 276 goals, 453 assists and 729 points. Correlate that 2024 marks the fifth time that Kucherov made the NHL All-Star Game. Kucherov was the 2019 Hart Memorial Trophy winner as the NHL MVP.
Victor Hedman is one of the top defensemen in the NHL and a prolific setup man on the power play. Hedman was the send overall pick of the 2009 NHL Draft and has played his entire career with Tampa Bay. In 974 games, he has 143 goals and 50-9 assists with 652 points. Hedman is a four-time All-Star and was the 2020 Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoff MVP.