On the whole, Jon Cooper led an overall improvement of the Lightning. Tampa Bay posted two more wins and four more points compared to last year. Tampa Bay was the highest-scoring team in the NHL. Also, they were strong on defense. The Tampa Bay Lightning continued to show why they are one of the top Stanley Cup betting odds franchises in professional sports. Tampa Bay posted its 12th consecutive winning season under head coach Jon Cooper. Also, they made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 11th time in that span.
2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
| Date and Time: | Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 8:30 PM ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Panthers | +1½ -257 | 5½ -109 | +104 |  |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -1½ +217 | 5½ -107 | -117 | |
| ||||
Tampa Bay Lightning Series Schedule
- Game 1: Panthers at Lightning, Tuesday, April 22, 8:30, ESPN
- Game 2: Panthers at Lightning, Thursday, April 24, 6:30, TBS, truTV, Max
- Game 3: Lightning at Panthers, Saturday, April 26, 1, TBS, truTV, Max
- Game 4: Lightning at Panthers, Monday, April 28, TBD
- x-Game 5: Panthers at Lightning, Wednesday, April 30, TBD
- x-Game 6: Lightning at Panthers, Friday, May 2, TBD
- x-Game 7: Panthers at Lightning, Sunday, May 4, TBD
Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach
Jon Cooper took over as head coach at the end of the 2012-13 season. Subsequently, he has become one of the elite sportsbook bench bosses in the sport. His career record is 572-306-83 with two Stanley Cup championships and a conference title.
Tampa Bay Lightning Goaltenders
Number one goaltender Andrei 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. Last year, his save percentage was .900, with a 2.09 goals against average. This season, Vasilevskiy has a 2.18 goals against average with a save percentage of .921. Overall, his record is 38-20-5 with six shutouts.
Tampa Bay Lightning Key Players
RW Nikita Kucherov is far and away the best player on the Lightning. Correlate 2024 marked the fifth time that Kucherov made the NHL All-Star Game. Kucherov was the 2019 Hart Memorial Trophy winner as the NHL MVP. Last year, Kucherov scored 44 goals with 100 assists. This season, Kucherov has 37 goals, 84 assists, 121 points, and a +22.
LW Brandon Hagel added 35 goals, 55 assists, 90 points and a +33. Meanwhile, C Brayden Point had 42 goals, 40 assists, 82 points, and a +17 to start the season. Also, D Victor Hedman impressed with 15 goals, 51 assists, 66 points, and a +18. He is a 4-time NHL All-Star.
Tampa Bay Lightning Record, Metrics & History
Tampa Bay had NHL rankings of 1st for goals scored and 5th for power play efficiency. In comparison on defense, the Lightning had NHL rankings of 5th for goals against and 7th for penalty killing.
To conclude the regular season, the Tampa Bay Lightning were 47-27-8 straight up and 38-38 over/under the NHL Playoff betting odds total. Tampa Bay was second in the Eastern Conference playoff standings, nine points behind the Washington Capitals.
The Lightning won two Stanley Cup championships and made an additional appearance in the Final in these 12 seasons.
The Lightning have won three Stanley Cup championships. Including 2020 and 2021. Since being picked first overall in the 2008 NHL Draft, Steven Stamkos has been a foundational marquee man for the Lightning. He moved on to Nashville this season. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has emerged as arguably the best in the game.