Editing Tampa Bay Lightning (section)

==History==

===Early years (1992–2000)===

====Bringing hockey to Tampa====
In the late 1980s, the NHL announced it would expand. Two rival groups from the [[Tampa Bay Area]] decided to bid for a franchise: a [[St. Petersburg, Florida|St. Petersburg]]-based group fronted by future [[Hartford Whalers]]/[[Carolina Hurricanes]] owners [[Peter Karmanos Jr.|Peter Karmanos]] and [[Jim Rutherford]], and a Tampa-based group fronted by [[Phil Esposito]], his brother [[Tony Esposito|Tony]] (both members of the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]]), and [[Mel Lowell]],<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Montgomery |first1=Ben |title=Twists, turns and colorful characters brought Lightning hockey to Tampa Bay |url=https://www.tampabay.com/features/humaninterest/twists-turns-and-colorful-characters-brought-lightning-hockey-to-tampa-bay/2233535/ |access-date=December 9, 2024 |website=Tampa Bay Times |date=June 13, 2015}}</ref> who was vice-president of [[Madison Square Garden]] for 14 years. One of the Esposito group's key backers, the [[Pritzker family]], backed out a few months before the bid, to be replaced by a consortium of Japanese businesses headed by Kokusai Green, a golf course and resort operator. Although it appeared on paper that the Karmanos/Rutherford group had more financial resources, it only wanted to pay $29 million of the $50 million expansion fee before starting operations. In contrast, the Esposito/Kokusai Green group was one of the few groups willing to pay the full $50 million fee up front.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Power Plays: An Inside Look at the Big Business of the National Hockey League|last=Stein|first=Gil|year=1997|pages=86–92}}</ref> The Esposito group would win the expansion franchise on December 6, 1990,<ref>{{cite web |title=A franchise is born 25 years ago |url=https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/a-franchise-is-born-25-years-ago/c-791248 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 27, 2019 |date=December 6, 2015}}</ref> and name the team the Lightning, after Tampa Bay's status as the "Lightning Capital of North America".

[[File:Philip Esposito, February 2012.jpeg|thumb|left|[[Phil Esposito]] fronted an ownership group that was later awarded an NHL franchise in 1992.]]
Phil Esposito assigned himself president and general manager, while Tony became chief scout, and Mel Lowell executive vice-president and treasurer.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Esposito |first1=Phil |title=Thunder and Lightning: A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir |last2=Goldenbock |first2=Peter |date=2003}}</ref> [[Terry Crisp]], who played for the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] when they won two [[Stanley Cup]]s in the mid-1970s and coached the [[Calgary Flames]] to a Stanley Cup in [[1988–89 NHL season|1989]], was tapped as the first head coach. Phil Esposito also hired former teammates from the [[Boston Bruins]] of the 1970s, including former linemate [[Wayne Cashman]] as an assistant coach and former Bruin trainer John "Frosty" Forristal as the team's trainer. The inaugural team photo has him flanked by Cashman and player [[Ken Hodge, Jr.]], son of his other Bruins' linemate.

In 1991, [[Angus Montagu, 12th Duke of Manchester]] announced that a company of which he was a director would raise millions of dollars in investments in the Lightning, but his plans were unsuccessful and he was later convicted of wire fraud.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Basse |first1=Craig |title=Notorious duke, tied to Lightning, dies |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/08/01/notorious-duke-tied-to-lightning-dies/ |access-date=May 20, 2022 |work=[[Tampa Bay Times|Tampabay.com]] |date=August 1, 2002}}</ref>

The Lightning played their first preseason game in September 1992 against the [[Minnesota North Stars]], and then turned heads later that preseason when [[Manon Rhéaume]] became the first woman to play in an NHL game, which also made her the first woman to play in any of the major professional North American sports leagues. She played for the Lightning against the [[St. Louis Blues]], and stopped seven of nine shots.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Basu |first1=Arpon |title=Part 1: Manon Rhéaume shatters the gender barrier |url=https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=642005 |website=NHL.com |access-date=March 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925233533/https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=642005 |archive-date=September 25, 2012 |date=September 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Manon Rheaume, Team Canada |url=http://www.whockey.com/profile/canada/rheaume.html |website=whockey.com |access-date=March 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915045526/http://www.whockey.com/profile/canada/rheaume.html |archive-date=September 15, 2024}}</ref>

The Lightning played their first regular season game on October 7, 1992, in Tampa's tiny 11,000-seat [[Expo Hall]] at the [[Florida State Fairgrounds]]. They surprised the visiting [[Chicago Blackhawks]], winning 7–3 with four goals by little-known [[Chris Kontos]]. The team rose to the top of the [[Western Conference (NHL)|Campbell Conference]]'s [[Norris Division]] within a month, behind Kontos' initial torrid scoring pace and a breakout season by forward [[Brian Bradley (ice hockey, born 1965)|Brian Bradley]]. However, it buckled under the strain of some of the longest road trips in the NHL—their nearest division rival, the Blues, were over {{convert|1000|mi}} away—and finished in last place with a record of 23–54–7 for 53 points. This was, at the time, one of the best-ever showings by an NHL expansion team. Bradley's 42 goals gave Tampa Bay fans optimism for the next season; it would be a team record until the 2006–07 season.

The following season saw the Lightning shift to the [[Eastern Conference (NHL)|Eastern Conference]]'s [[Atlantic Division (NHL)|Atlantic Division]], as well as move into the [[Tropicana Field|Florida Suncoast Dome]] (a building originally designed for baseball) in St. Petersburg, which was reconfigured for hockey and renamed the "ThunderDome."<ref>{{cite web|last=Buckley|first=Tim |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/325053951/?terms=ThunderDome|title=Lightning's spark? It was on the bench|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=October 10, 1993|page=6C|access-date=April 7, 2018}}</ref> The team acquired [[goaltender]] [[Daren Puppa]], [[winger (ice hockey)|left wing]] goal scorer [[Petr Klíma|Petr Klima]], and veteran forward [[Denis Savard]]. While Puppa's play resulted in a significant improvement in goals allowed (from 332 to 251), Savard was long past his prime and Klima's scoring was offset by his defensive lapses. The Lightning finished last in the Atlantic Division in 1993–94 with a record of 30–43–11 for 71 points. Another disappointing season followed in the lockout-shortened [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95 season]] with a record of 17–28–3 for 37 points.

====On-ice and off-ice struggles====
In their fourth season, [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96]], backed by Bradley's team-leading 79 points, second-year forward [[Alexander Selivanov]]'s 31 goals, and [[Roman Hamrlík|Roman Hamrlik]]'s All-Star year on defense, the Lightning finally qualified for the playoffs, posting a 38–32–12 record for 88 points, ahead of the defending [[Stanley Cup]] champion [[New Jersey Devils]] for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference by a single win. Due to his stellar play in net, Puppa was named a finalist for the [[Vezina Trophy]] (losing out to [[Jim Carey (ice hockey)|Jim Carey]] of the [[Washington Capitals]]). Playing the [[Philadelphia Flyers]], a team seen as a Stanley Cup contender, in the first round, the Lightning split the opening two games in Philadelphia before taking game 3 in overtime before a ThunderDome crowd of 28,183. This was the largest crowd for an NHL game, a record that stood until the [[2003 Heritage Classic]] in Edmonton; and it still stands today as the largest crowd at a [[Stanley Cup playoffs]] game. An injury to Puppa in that game, however, would see the Lightning lose the next three games and the series.

[[File:Amalie Arena.jpg|thumb|The Lightning moved to their present home, the Ice Palace (now [[Amalie Arena]]), during the 1996 off-season.]]
The Lightning moved into a new arena in downtown Tampa, the Ice Palace (later the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Bay Times Forum and now [[Amalie Arena]]) for the [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97 season]]. They had acquired goal-scorer [[Dino Ciccarelli]] from the [[Detroit Red Wings]] during the 1996 off-season, and he did not disappoint, scoring 35 goals while [[Chris Gratton]] notched another 30 goals. The team appeared destined for another playoff appearance, but suffered a devastating rash of injuries. Puppa developed back trouble that kept him out of all but six games during the season; he would only play a total of 50 games from 1996 until his retirement in [[1999–2000 NHL season|2000]]. Bradley also lost time to a series of concussions that would limit him to a total of 49 games from 1996 until his retirement in December 1999. [[Centre (ice hockey)|Center]] [[John Cullen]] developed [[non-Hodgkin lymphoma]], and missed the last 12 games of the 1996–97 season; he would eventually be forced to retire in 1999. Decimated by these ailments, the Lightning narrowly missed the playoffs. They would not tally as much as 60 points again for five years.

Most of the Lightning's early stars were gone by the [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99 season]] due to free agency and a series of ill-advised trades. Crisp was fired 11 games into the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 season]] and replaced by [[Jacques Demers]]. Though Demers had presided over the resurgence of the Detroit Red Wings in the 1980s and helmed a Stanley Cup run with the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in 1993, he was unable to change the team's fortunes and the Lightning ended up losing 55 games. That team's .268 winning percentage is still the worst in franchise history.

By most accounts, the Lightning's plunge to the bottom of the NHL was due to inattentive ownership by Kokusai Green. Rumors abounded as early as the team's second season that the Lightning were on the brink of bankruptcy and that the team was part of a [[money laundering]] scheme for the [[yakuza]] (Japanese crime families).<ref name="HC">{{Cite book |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |title=Hockey Chronicles |year=2001 |publisher=Checkmark Books |location=New York City |isbn=0-8160-4697-2 |display-authors=etal |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/hockeychronicles00tren}}</ref> Its scouting operation consisted of Tony Esposito and several satellite dishes. The [[Internal Revenue Service]] investigated the team in 1994 and 1995, and nearly threatened to put a [[tax lien]] on the franchise for $750,000 in back taxes. The situation led longtime NHL broadcaster and writer [[Stan Fischler]] to call the Lightning a "skating vaudeville show."<ref name="Fischler">{{Cite book |title=Cracked Ice: An Insider's Look at the NHL |last=Fischler |first=Stan |author-link=Stan Fischler |year=1999 |publisher=Masters Press |location=[[Lincolnwood, Illinois]] |isbn=1-57028-219-6 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/crackediceinside0000fisc_c0m0}}</ref>

Even in their first playoff season, the team was awash in red ink and Kokusai Green was looking to sell the team; however its asking price of $230&nbsp;million for the team and the lease with the Ice Palace deterred buyers.<ref name="Fischler"/> A possible sale was further hampered by the team's murky ownership structure; many team officials (including Crisp) did not know who really owned the team.<ref name="HC"/> Kokusai Green's owner, Takashi Okubo, had never met with the Espositos or with NHL officials in person prior to being awarded the Lightning franchise, and never watched his team play during his seven years as owner.

Nearly all of Kokusai Green's investment in the team and the Ice Palace came in the form of loans, leaving the team constantly short of cash.<ref name="Sandomir">{{Cite news|first=Richard |last=Sandomir |title=A Soap Opera on Ice |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/06/sports/hockey-a-soap-opera-on-ice.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 6, 1998|access-date=January 27, 2008}}</ref> At least one prospective buyer pulled out after expressing doubts that Okubo even existed.<ref name="HC"/> In fact, the first time anyone connected with the Lightning or the NHL even saw Okubo was in the spring of 1998. Esposito was forced into several trades just to keep the team above water. The team's financial situation was a considerable concern to NHL officials; rumors surfaced that the NHL was seriously considering taking control of the team if Okubo failed to find a buyer by the summer of 1998.<ref name="Fischler"/>

''[[Forbes]]'' wrote an article in late 1997 calling the Lightning a financial nightmare, with a debt equal to 236% of its value, the highest of any major North American sports franchise. Even though the Ice Palace was built for hockey and the Lightning were the only major tenant, ''Forbes'' called the team's deal with the arena a lemon since it would not result in much revenue for 30 years. It was also behind on paying state sales taxes and federal payroll taxes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keefe |first1=Robert |title=Lightning's finances called worst |url=http://www.sptimes.com/Lightning/lh.1203.finances.html |website=sptimes.com |access-date=March 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312073619/http://www.sptimes.com/Lightning/lh.1203.finances.html |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |date=December 3, 1997}}</ref>

Finally, in 1998, Kokusai Green found a buyer. Although [[Bill Davidson (businessman)|William Davidson]], longtime owner of the [[Detroit Pistons]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), was thought to be the frontrunner, the buyer turned out to be insurance tycoon and motivational speaker [[Arthur L. Williams, Jr.|Art Williams]], who previously owned the [[Birmingham Barracudas]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL). The team was $102&nbsp;million in debt at the time the sale closed.<ref name="Fischler"/> Williams knew very little about hockey, but was very visible and outspoken, and immediately pumped an additional $6&nbsp;million into the team's payroll. He also cleared most of the debt from the Kokusai Green era. After taking control, Williams publicly assured the Espositos that their jobs were safe, only to fire them two games into the 1998–99 season. He then gave Demers complete control of hockey operations as both coach and general manager. The Lightning drafted [[Vincent Lecavalier]] first overall in 1998, a player who would be a cornerstone of the team for years to come.

Williams was widely seen as being in over his head. Early in the 1998–99 season, the Lightning lost ten games in a row, all but ending any chance of making the playoffs. They ended up losing 54 games that year, more than the expansion [[Nashville Predators]].

===Return to respectability (2000–2010)===
By the spring of 1999, Williams had seen enough. He had not attended a game in some time because "this team broke my heart". He lost $20 million in the 1998–99 season alone, as much money in one year as he had estimated he could have reasonably lost in five years.<ref>{{cite web |title=LCS Hockey : Team Reports : Tampa Bay Lightning |url=http://www.lcshockey.com/issues/115/tam.asp |website=lcshockey.com |access-date=March 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209141924/http://www.lcshockey.com/issues/115/tam.asp |archive-date=December 9, 2024}}</ref> Williams sold the team for $115 million—$2 million less than he had paid for the team a year earlier—to Detroit Pistons owner William Davidson, who had almost bought the team a year earlier.<ref name=blunder>{{cite web |last1=Buckley |first1=Tim |title=Davidson has deal to buy Lightning |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/02/28/davidson-has-deal-to-buy-lightning/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=March 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123192422/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/02/28/davidson-has-deal-to-buy-lightning/ |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |date=February 28, 1999}}</ref> Along with the sale, the Lightning acquired a new top minor league affiliate; Davidson also owned the [[Detroit Vipers]] of the now-defunct [[International Hockey League (1945–2001)|International Hockey League]] (IHL).

Davidson remained in Detroit, but appointed Tom Wilson as team president to handle day-to-day management of the team. Wilson immediately fired Demers, who despite his best efforts (and fatherly attitude toward Lecavalier) was unable to overcome the damage from the Kokusai Green ownership. Wilson persuaded [[Ottawa Senators]] general manager (and former Vipers general manager) [[Rick Dudley]] to take over as the Lightning's new general manager; Dudley, in turn, brought Vipers coach [[Steve Ludzik]] in as the team's new head coach. Wilson, Dudley and Ludzik had helped make the Vipers one of the premier minor league hockey franchises, having won a [[Turner Cup]] in only their third season in Detroit (the team had originally been based in [[Salt Lake Golden Eagles|Salt Lake City]]).

However, as had been the case with Demers, the damage from the last few seasons under Kokusai Green was too much for Ludzik to overcome. Even with a wholesale transfer of talent from Detroit to Tampa (a move that eventually doomed the Vipers, which folded along with the IHL in 2001), the Lightning lost 54 games in [[1999–2000 NHL season|1999–2000]] and 52 in [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01]], becoming the first team in NHL history to post four straight 50-loss seasons. The lone bright spots in those years were the blossoming of Lecavalier and [[Brad Richards]] into NHL stars. Ludzik was replaced in early 2001 by career NHL assistant [[John Tortorella]]. The March 5 trade deadline offered another glimmer of hope when the team acquired hold-out goaltender [[Nikolai Khabibulin]] from the [[Arizona Coyotes|Phoenix Coyotes]] for three players and a draft pick.

The [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02 season]], Tortorella's first full year behind the bench, saw some improvement. [[Martin St. Louis]] was having a breakout season when he broke his leg in game number 47 and was lost for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lightning winger St. Louis out with broken leg |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/lightning-winger-st-louis-out-with-broken-leg-1.341327 |website=CBC.ca |access-date=March 10, 2025 |date=January 24, 2002}}</ref> Khabibulin recorded a shut out at the [[National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All-Star Game]] but was not named its [[most valuable player|MVP]], by all accounts due to the game's voting protocol.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vote deadline may have cost Khabibulin the MVP award |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/2002/all_star/news/2002/02/02/khabibulin_allstar_st/ |website=CNNSI.com |access-date=March 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020208025244/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/2002/all_star/news/2002/02/02/khabibulin_allstar_st/ |archive-date=February 8, 2002 |date=February 2, 2002}}</ref> By mid-February, the Lightning were well out of playoff contention and were sinking under a rash of injuries. Dudley, who had guaranteed a playoff berth before the season, was fired and replaced by his assistant, [[Jay Feaster]]. Still the Lightning showed some signs of life, earning more than 60 points for the first time since 1997. Tortorella stripped Lecavalier of the captaincy due to contract negotiations that had made the young center miss the start of the season.

====Two dream seasons and first Stanley Cup championship (2002–2004)====
With a young core of players led by Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis and [[Fredrik Modin]], the Lightning were thought to be very close to respectability. However, they arrived somewhat earlier than expected in [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03]]. The young team was led by the goaltending of Nikolai Khabibulin and the scoring efforts of Lecavalier, St. Louis, Modin, Richards and [[Ruslan Fedotenko]]. Throughout the season, the Lightning battled the [[Washington Capitals]] for first place in the Southeast Division. They finished with a record of 36–25–16 for 93 points, breaking the 90-point barrier for the first time in team history. They won the division by just one point, giving them home-ice advantage in their first-round match-up with the Capitals. At season's end, coach Tortorella was recognized for his efforts by being named a finalist for the [[Jack Adams Award]], losing out to [[Jacques Lemaire]] of the [[Minnesota Wild]].

In the first round of the [[2003 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]], the Lightning quickly fell two games behind in the series but followed the two losses with four consecutive wins for their first playoff series win in franchise history. However, in the semifinals, they went down in five games to the [[New Jersey Devils]], who went on to win the Stanley Cup.
The Lightning's dramatic improvement continued through the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 regular season]], finishing with a record of 46–22–8–6 for 106 points, second-best in the NHL after the Western Conference's Detroit Red Wings—the first 100-point season in franchise history. The Lightning lost only 20 man-games to injury. In the first round of the playoffs, the Lightning ousted the [[New York Islanders]] in five games, with Khabibulin posting shutouts in games 1, 3, and 4.

In the second round, the Lightning faced the [[Montreal Canadiens]]; Lecavalier, Richards, and Khabibulin led the team to a four-game sweep of Montreal. Next, they faced the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in the conference finals. After a tightly fought seven-game series in which neither team was able to win consecutive games, Fredrik Modin notched the winning goal of the seventh and deciding game, earning the Eastern Conference championship for the Lightning and their first-ever berth in the [[Stanley Cup]] Finals.

Their opponent in the final round was the [[Calgary Flames]]. The final round also went the full seven games, with the deciding game played in the St. Pete Times Forum on June 7, 2004. This time, Ruslan Fedotenko was the game 7 hero, scoring both Lightning goals in a 2–1 victory. Brad Richards, who had 26 points in the postseason, won the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] as the most valuable player of the playoffs; the Lightning had won all 31 contests in which he had scored a goal since the opening of the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Raising the Cup presents: Game 7 2004 Stanley Cup Final|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/raising-the-cup-presents-game-7-2004-stanley-cup-final/c-569846|website=NHL.com|date=August 16, 2011|access-date=June 25, 2019}}</ref> Tortorella won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's Coach of the Year. Only three years after their last of four consecutive seasons of 50 or more losses, and in only their 12th year of existence, the Lightning became the southernmost team ever to win the Stanley Cup, an accomplishment since surpassed by the [[Florida Panthers]]. Martin St. Louis led the team and the NHL with 94 points (his 38 goals were fourth-most after the 41 of tied trio Jarome Iginla, [[Rick Nash]] and [[Ilya Kovalchuk]]), and won the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] as the NHL's most valuable player. St. Louis also won the [[Lester B. Pearson Award]] for the NHL's most outstanding player as voted by the [[National Hockey League Players' Association|NHL Players' Association]], and tied the [[Vancouver Canucks]]' [[Marek Malík|Marek Malik]] for the [[NHL Plus/Minus Award]]. A season of superlatives was capped with one final accolade, as ''[[The Sporting News]]'' named general manager Jay Feaster as the league's executive of the year for 2003–04.

====Post-championship successes and playoff disappointments (2004–2007)====
The Lightning had to wait a year to defend their title due to the [[2004–05 NHL lockout]], but in [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]], they barely made the playoffs with a record of 43–33–6 for 93 points in a conference where six teams notched 100 or more points. They lost to the Ottawa Senators in five games in the first round of the [[2006 Stanley Cup playoffs|2006 playoffs]].

[[File:Vincent Lecavalier 2007.jpg|thumb|During the [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07 season]], [[Vincent Lecavalier]] broke the then franchise record for most points, and goals in a single season.]]
During the off-season, the Lightning traded Fredrik Modin and [[Fredrik Norrena]] to the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] in exchange for goaltender [[Marc Denis]] in an effort to replace the departing [[John Grahame]], who had signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. However, free agent [[Johan Holmqvist]] would eventually receive the majority of playing time and most of the club's wins. The first half of [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07]] was inconsistent for the Lightning, maintaining an 18–19–2 record throughout the first few months. January and February were far better months for the team, going 9–4–0 in January and 9–2–2 in February, driving them back into the playoff race. Fourteen games in March were split even, and on March 16, 2007, Vincent Lecavalier broke the franchise record for most points in a season, with 95 (finishing with 108). The record was previously held by Martin St. Louis, who had set the record in the 2003–04 Stanley Cup-winning year. Lecavalier also broke the franchise's goal-scoring record, finishing with a league-leading 52 goals.

The Lightning were busy during the final weeks before the NHL's trade deadline, acquiring wingers [[Kyle Wanvig]], [[Stephen Baby]] and defenseman [[Shane O'Brien (ice hockey)|Shane O'Brien]]. Former first-round pick [[Nikita Alexeev]] was traded on deadline day to the Chicago Blackhawks. Other mid-season additions to the team included [[Filip Kuba]], [[Luke Richardson]] and [[Doug Janik]]. Veteran [[André Roy|Andre Roy]], who had won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004, was claimed off waivers from the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].

Throughout March, the Lightning had been competing with the [[Atlanta Thrashers]] for first place in the Southeast Division. With a chance to overtake the Thrashers one final time and once again become division champions for the third time in team history, on April 6, 2007, in the final week of the regular season, the Lightning suffered a loss to the [[Florida Panthers]], the night before the season finale in Atlanta. That same night, the Thrashers defeated the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] and subsequently clinched the division. For the Lightning, this meant having to settle for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a final record of 44–33–5 (93 points). However, the Lightning were eliminated from playoff competition on April 22, after a 3–2 home loss to the New Jersey Devils in game 6 of the conference quarterfinals.

[[File:Václav Prospal 2007.jpg|thumb|[[Václav Prospal|Vaclav Prospal]] with the Lightning in 2007. Prior to the 2007 NHL trade deadline, the Lightning traded Prospal to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in exchange for [[Alexandre R. Picard|Alexandre Picard]] and a conditional draft pick.]]
Following their playoff exit, on August 7, 2007, Absolute Hockey Enterprises, a group led by [[Doug MacLean]], announced it had signed a purchase agreement for the team and the [[leasehold]] on the St. Pete Times Forum. MacLean is the former president and general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets and former head coach for both the Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers. The group announced it planned to keep the team in Tampa, but the deal collapsed during the 2007–08 season.

====Decline (2007–2008)====
The Lightning struggled to maintain success during the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 campaign]]. Although the "Big 3" of [[Vincent Lecavalier]], [[Martin St. Louis]] and [[Brad Richards]], along with [[Václav Prospal|Vaclav Prospal]], had performed up to expectations, they had little consistent play from supporting players.

At the start of the All-Star Break on January 25, 2008, the Lightning had a 20–25–5 record, and with 45 points, were in last place in both the Southeast Division and the Eastern Conference. Only the [[Los Angeles Kings]] had a lower point total at this time of the season, with 40 points.

On February 13, 2008, it was announced that Palace Sports & Entertainment had agreed to sell the Lightning to OK Hockey LLC, a group headed by [[Oren Koules]], a producer of the ''[[Saw (franchise)|Saw]]'' horror movies, and [[Len Barrie]], a former NHL player and real estate developer.

The Lightning were active during the trade deadline, similar to the previous season. More notable trades included Vaclav Prospal's trade to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for prospect [[Alexandre R. Picard|Alexandre Picard]] and a conditional draft pick.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=354834&page=NewsPage&service=page|title=Lightning Acquire Conditional Draft Pick, AHL All-Star Defenseman From Philadelphia|website=NHL.com|access-date=March 10, 2025|date=February 25, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227195047/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=354834&page=NewsPage&service=page|archive-date=December 27, 2008}}</ref> Additionally, former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Brad Richards and goaltender Johan Holmqvist were traded to the [[Dallas Stars]] in exchange for goaltender [[Mike Smith (ice hockey, born 1982)|Mike Smith]] and forwards [[Jussi Jokinen]] and [[Jeff Halpern]], as well as a fourth-round draft pick in [[2009 NHL entry draft|2009]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=354950&page=NewsPage&service=page|title=Lightning Acquire Goaltender Mike Smith, Center Jeff Halpern, Left Wing Jussi Jokinen & fourth-Round Pick From Dallas|website=NHL.com|access-date=March 10, 2025|date=February 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227210136/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=354950&page=NewsPage&service=page|archive-date=December 27, 2008}}</ref> [[Jan Hlaváč|Jan Hlavac]], a regular contributor, was also traded, moving to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a seventh-round pick in [[2008 NHL entry draft|2008]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lightning Acquire Seventh-Round Pick In 2008 From Nashville In Exchange For Jan Hlavac |url=http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=355022&page=NewsPage&service=page |website=NHL.com |access-date=March 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229085522/http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=355022&page=NewsPage&service=page |archive-date=February 29, 2008 |date=February 26, 2008}}</ref> Defenseman [[Dan Boyle (ice hockey)|Dan Boyle]] was re-signed to a six-year contract extension reportedly worth $40&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3264930|title=Boyle signs six-year contract extension with Lightning|access-date=March 10, 2025|website=ESPN.com|date=February 26, 2008}}</ref>

However, after the trade deadline, the Lightning fared no better than they had throughout the entire season. After the February 26 trade deadline, the Lightning won only five games. Finishing with a 31–42–9 record, with 71 points, they had the highest chance of winning the top overall pick in the [[2008 NHL entry draft]] through the draft lottery, which they eventually won on April 7. They would use their first overall pick to select [[Steven Stamkos]] of the [[Ontario Hockey League]]'s [[Sarnia Sting]] who, like Lecavalier before, was expected to become a franchise cornerstone player for years to come.

The Lightning were the worst team on the road in the NHL, winning only 11 games. Another showing of the team's poor play was the difference from the previous season's success in the overtime/shootout periods. In the 2006–07 season, the Lightning had one of the best extra period records, winning 15 games in either overtime or the shootout. However, in the 2007–08 season, they won only three games, losing nine.

Vincent Lecavalier suffered a dislocated shoulder as the result of an open-ice hit from [[Matt Cooke]] of the [[Washington Capitals]] in the game before the season finale in Atlanta. Lecavalier, who planned on having arthroscopic wrist surgery after the season's ending, would undergo surgery to repair his right shoulder as well. Cooke was fined $2,500 by the NHL for the hit, as Lecavalier did not have possession of the puck at the time. Perhaps the lone bright spot in the season was Lecavalier's winning both the [[King Clancy Memorial Trophy]] and the [[NHL Foundation Player Award]] for work through his foundation, including a $3&nbsp;million pledge to [[All Children's Hospital]] in St. Petersburg, Florida, for what would become the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at All Children's Hospital.

Head coach [[John Tortorella]] was fired by the Lightning following their worst season since Tortorella was hired. At the time working as an NHL analyst for [[ESPN]], [[Barry Melrose]] stated on June 4 during an episode of ''[[Pardon the Interruption]]'' that he missed coaching and would entertain any NHL coaching offers. He stated, "I miss not having a dog in the fight."<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |title=Lightning hire Barry Melrose as coach |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/article/LK/20080624/News/605222060/SH/ |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223190115/https://www.heraldtribune.com/article/LK/20080624/News/605222060/SH/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 23, ESPN reported Melrose had been chosen to be the head coach of the Lightning, beginning in 2008–09. The next day, the Lightning officially introduced him as their new head coach.

====Arrival of Steven Stamkos (2008–2010)====
[[Steven Stamkos]] was selected first overall by Tampa Bay. On July 29, 2008, he signed an entry-level contract with the Lightning in which he could earn as much as $8.55&nbsp;million in performance bonuses.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=244724 | title = Lightning officially sign Stamkos to three-year contract | publisher = TSN | date = July 29, 2008 | access-date = July 29, 2008}}</ref> Leading up to the start of the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]], the Lightning centered their promotional efforts around Stamkos, including a website with the slogan "Seen Stamkos?" On July 4, 2008, Dan Boyle, despite coming off a recent contract extension, was traded (along with [[Brad Lukowich]]) to the [[San Jose Sharks]] in exchange for [[Matt Carle]], [[Ty Wishart]], a first-round draft pick in [[2009 NHL entry draft|2009]] and a fourth-round pick in [[2010 NHL entry draft|2010]]. Boyle was pressured to waive his no-trade clause by Tampa Bay's ownership, who said they would otherwise place him on waivers, where he would likely be claimed by the Atlanta Thrashers. In the fallout from the trade, Boyle would call Lightning ownership "liars"{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} for misrepresenting the aforementioned events to the public, while former coach Tortorella later labeled them as "cowboys" and said he had zero respect for them.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wyshynski |first1=Greg |title=Tortorella calls new Tampa owners 'cowboys,' rips old franchise |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/tortorella-calls-tampa-owners-cowboys-rips-old-franchise--nhl.html |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=March 10, 2025 |date=September 5, 2008}}</ref> Frustrated at interference in the team's hockey operations by Barrie and Koules, seven days later, Jay Feaster resigned as general manager, despite having three years remaining on his contract.

[[File:Steven Stamkos.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Steven Stamkos]] (pictured in March 2009) was drafted first overall by the Lightning in the [[2008 NHL entry draft]].]]
The Lightning opened the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]] in the Czech Republic against the [[New York Rangers]] as a part of the NHL's regular season "Premiere" that selects several teams to open the regular season in Europe. Barry Melrose would record his first win as a head coach in over 13 years on October 21, 2008, with a 3–2 victory over the [[Atlanta Thrashers]]. However, the Lightning did not get off to a great start as hoped, and Melrose was eventually fired by the Lightning with a 5–7–4 record. [[Rick Tocchet]], who had been hired as assistant coach during the previous off-season, was promoted to interim head coach. On March 4, veterans [[Mark Recchi]] and [[Olaf Kölzig|Olaf Kolzig]] were traded by the Tampa Bay Lightning to the [[Boston Bruins]] and [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], respectively. The Lightning acquired top round picks [[Matt Lashoff]] and [[Mārtiņš Karsums|Martins Karsums]] from the Bruins. After the firing of Melrose, the Lightning went 19–33–14 and would finish the season 24–40–18 with 66 points, their lowest point total since the 2000–01 season.

[[File:Martinstlouis lightning2010.JPG|thumb|left|upright|[[Martin St. Louis]] with the Lightning in March 2010. He signed a four-year extension with the team in the 2010 off-season.]]
With the second overall pick in the [[2009 NHL entry draft]], the Lightning selected Swedish defenseman [[Victor Hedman]], who would also be another major part of the franchise for years to come. In the 2009 off-season, the Lightning removed the interim status of Rick Tocchet, making him the full-time head coach and signing him to a multi-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lightning give Tocchet multiyear deal |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4159425 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 10, 2025 |date=May 11, 2009}}</ref> The Lightning had an up-and-down beginning to the 2009–10 campaign. Despite an overmatched roster on paper, and a team that struggled in the first two periods of many games, the Lightning remained competitive in the playoff race until March, when they went 5–10–1 for the month and fell eight points out of a playoff spot. Unable to make a final push for the playoffs, they were officially eliminated from contention within the first week of April. The Lightning finished the season 34–36–12 for 80 points, fourth in the Southeast Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference.

Stamkos scored 51 goals in just his second NHL season along with 44 assists and 95 points. His 51 goals earned himself a share of the [[Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy]] by finishing tied for the NHL lead in goals with Pittsburgh Penguins star and captain [[Sidney Crosby]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/lightning/content/steven-stamkos-empty-net-goal-gives-him-51-and-share-rocket-richard-trophy |title= Steven Stamkos' empty-net goal gives him 51 and a share of the Rocket Richard Trophy Damian Cristodero |date= April 12, 2010 |work= [[St. Petersburg Times]] |access-date= April 12, 2010 |archive-date= April 15, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100415000211/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/lightning/content/steven-stamkos-empty-net-goal-gives-him-51-and-share-rocket-richard-trophy |url-status= dead}}</ref> During the season, the team was sold to [[Boston]]ian investment banker [[Jeffrey Vinik]]. Following the late-season collapse, Vinik cleaned house, firing both head coach Rick Tocchet and general manager [[Brian Lawton]] on April 12, 2010, one day after the season ended.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/lightning/content/its-official-tampa-bay-lightning-fires-coach-rick-tocchet-and-gm-brian-lawton |title= It's official: Tampa Bay Lightning fires coach Rick Tocchet and GM Brian Lawton |author= Damian Cristodero |date= April 12, 2010 |work= [[St. Petersburg Times]] |access-date= April 12, 2010 |archive-date= April 14, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100414172939/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/lightning/content/its-official-tampa-bay-lightning-fires-coach-rick-tocchet-and-gm-brian-lawton |url-status= dead}}</ref>

===Steve Yzerman/Julien BriseBois era (2010–present)===

====2011 run to the conference finals (2010–2011)====
In May 2010, Vinik hired [[Steve Yzerman]] away from the [[Detroit Red Wings]] front office to be the new general manager on a five-year contract. Yzerman then hired [[Guy Boucher]] from the Montreal Canadiens organization to succeed Rick Tocchet as the head coach two weeks later.

Yzerman's first off-season with Tampa Bay began with a splash. With the sixth pick of the [[2010 NHL entry draft]], the Lightning selected forward [[Brett Connolly]] despite a history of injuries while playing for the [[Western Hockey League]] (WHL)'s [[Prince George Cougars]]. On July 1, 2010, veteran blueliner [[Andrej Meszároš|Andrej Meszaros]] was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for their second-round pick in [[2011 NHL entry draft|2011]]. Later that day, the Lightning signed star winger Martin St. Louis to a four-year, $22.5&nbsp;million contract extension to come into effect on July 1, 2011. On July 19, in another move with the Flyers organization, the Lightning traded defenseman [[Matt Walker (ice hockey)|Matt Walker]] and Tampa Bay's fourth-round pick in 2011 for high-scoring winger [[Simon Gagné|Simon Gagne]]. Other off-season acquisitions included the signing of forwards [[Sean Bergenheim]], [[Dominic Moore]] and [[Marc-Antoine Pouliot]], along with defensemen [[Brett Clark (ice hockey)|Brett Clark]], [[Randy Jones (ice hockey)|Randy Jones]] and [[Pavel Kubina]] and goaltender [[Dan Ellis (ice hockey)|Dan Ellis]], as well as the re-signing of restricted free agent forward [[Steve Downie]] to a two-year, $3.7&nbsp;million deal.

With starting goaltender Mike Smith injured, the Lightning called up [[Cédrick Desjardins|Cedrick Desjardins]], who played with a .950 [[save percentage]] and a 1.00 [[goals against average]] (GAA) in two games. The team then acquired veteran [[Dwayne Roloson]] from the New York Islanders for further coverage in net.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/tampa-bay-lightning-gets-goalie-dwayne-roloson-from-new-york-islanders-for/1143142|title=Tampa Bay Lightning gets goalie Dwayne Roloson from New York Islanders for minor-league defenseman|last=Smith|first=Joe|date=January 2, 2011|work=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|access-date=May 31, 2011|archive-date=January 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105110730/http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/tampa-bay-lightning-gets-goalie-dwayne-roloson-from-new-york-islanders-for/1143142|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Lightning compiled a 46–25–11 record with 103 points in the [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11 season]], matching a franchise record for wins in a season. After holding the first place in the Southeast Division for several months, they fell to second after a poor performance in March. However, their record was solid enough for second in the Southeast Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference, and they returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2007. Scoring 31 goals and assisting on 68 for 99 points, [[Martin St. Louis]] finished second in the NHL in points only behind the 104 points by [[Daniel Sedin]] of the [[Vancouver Canucks]]. [[Steven Stamkos]] recorded 45 goals as the runner-up to the [[Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy]] only behind the 50 goals scored by [[Corey Perry]] of the [[Anaheim Ducks]] and was a finalist for the [[Ted Lindsay Award]] as the most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHL Players' Association, which ultimately went to Vancouver's Daniel Sedin.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?page=11awardsfinalsits |title=NHL awards: 2011 finalists |author=ESPN |website=[[ESPN]] |publisher=ESPN |date=April 22, 2011 |access-date=January 6, 2024}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

[[File:Vincent Lecavalier OT goal 2011-05-01.JPG|thumb|Lecavalier scores the game-winning goal in game 2 of the [[2011 Stanley Cup playoffs|2011]] conference semifinals. The team went on to sweep the [[Washington Capitals]] in the series.]]
In the [[2011 Stanley Cup playoffs|2011 playoffs]], Tampa Bay played the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in the conference quarterfinals who finished the season as the fourth seed in the Eastern Confernence. After losing game 4 at home in the second overtime period, they fell behind in the series one game to three. However, the Lightning went on to win the next three games, including a 1–0 game 7 win on the road, taking their first playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup against the [[Calgary Flames]] in 2004. In the conference semifinals, the Lightning swept the top-seeded [[Washington Capitals]]. Tampa Bay played the [[Boston Bruins]] in the conference finals. In game 4 of the series, the Lightning trailed 3–0 at the end of the first period. When Dwayne Roloson was pulled for Mike Smith, the Bruins failed to score again, and the Lightning tied the game in the second period by scoring three goals in 3:58, going on to win the game 5–3 and tying the series at two games apiece. The series went the full seven games, though the Lightning were eliminated by a single goal, as they lost game 7 (0–1) to lose the series to the eventual Stanley Cup champion and third-seeded Bruins in seven games, one win short from reaching the Stanley Cup Finals.

====Transition seasons (2011–2013)====
The Lightning finished the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]] with a 38–36–8 record. With only 84 points, they fell short of reaching the playoffs by eight points in the standings and ending the season third in the Southeast Division and tenth in the Eastern Conference. Individually, [[Steven Stamkos]] scored a franchise-record 60 goals. He won the [[Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy]] for the second time in his career. Stamkos was also second in the NHL in points with 97, and was a finalist for both the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] for the first time and the [[Ted Lindsay Award]] for the second consecutive season which both awards eventually going to [[Evgeni Malkin]] of the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].

As with the [[1994–95 NHL lockout]], the [[2012–13 NHL lockout]] resulted in a 48-game season. Nearing the end of an 18–26–4 season for 40 points, in which the Lightning ended fourth in the division and 14th in the conference, general manager [[Steve Yzerman]] looked to their highly-successful [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) affiliate, the [[Syracuse Crunch]]. On March 25, 2013, head coach Guy Boucher was dismissed for following a 7–16–1 record.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Tampa Bay Lightning|date=March 24, 2013|access-date=March 25, 2013|title=Lightning Release Guy Boucher of Coaching Duties|url=http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=661783}}</ref> The Lightning announced [[Jon Cooper (ice hockey)|Jon Cooper]] would become the eighth head coach in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Tampa Bay Lightning|date=March 25, 2013|access-date=March 25, 2013|title=Lightning name Jon Cooper as head coach|url=http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=662090}}</ref> [[Martin St. Louis]] won his second [[Art Ross Trophy]] with 60 points in the shortened season, as Stamkos finished runner-up 57.

On June 27, 2013, the team announced that they would exercise one of their two "[[compliance buyouts]]" on captain [[Vincent Lecavalier]], as permitted by the [[NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement|collective agreement]]. This move made Lecavalier an unrestricted free agent beginning July 5 of that year. The team stated the move was made not because of Lecavalier's play on the ice, but because of how his contract affected the team's salary cap, which would have been more than $7&nbsp;million per year until its expiration after the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Tampa Bay Lightning|date=June 27, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2013|title=Lightning To Use Compliance Buyout on Vincent Lecavalier|url=http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=675430}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Tampa Bay Lightning|date=June 27, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2013|title=Analysis of Lecavalier Compliance Buyout|url=http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=675431}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=Tampa Bay Times|author=Damian Cristodero|date=June 27, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2013|title=Lightning plans Lecavalier buyout|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/lightning-starts-lecavalier-buyout-process/2128824/}}</ref>

====Return to playoff contention (2013–2014)====
After acquiring goaltender [[Ben Bishop]] from the [[Ottawa Senators]] in a trade the previous season, the Lightning started the 2013–14 season with an above-average performance. On November 11, 2013, going into the day tied for most goals during the regular season, [[Steven Stamkos]] suffered a broken right [[tibia]] after crashing into one of the goalposts during play against the [[Boston Bruins]]. He would miss 45 games and was not cleared to play again until March 5, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/lightnings-stamkos-cleared-to-play-thursday-against-sabres/2168627/|title=Lightning's Stamkos cleared to play Thursday against Sabres|last=Cristodero|first=Damian|work=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Ryan Callahan 1 2014-03-22.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Ryan Callahan]] during his first month with the Lightning. Callahan was acquired by the team in a trade that sent [[Martin St. Louis]] to the [[New York Rangers]].]]
In January 2014, general manager [[Steve Yzerman]], who also served as the general manager for Canada's team at the [[Ice hockey at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2014 Winter Olympics]], elected not to name Lightning captain [[Martin St. Louis]] to Canada's roster, instead choosing the still-injured Stamkos. After Stamkos was not medically cleared to play in [[Sochi]] in early February, Yzerman ultimately named St. Louis to Team Canada as an injury replacement. In late February, it was reported St. Louis had requested a trade from Yzerman the month prior.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=26564|title=St. Louis, Lightning discuss future with team|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=February 26, 2014|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref> St. Louis, who had a no-move clause in his contract with Tampa Bay, reportedly consented to only being traded to the [[New York Rangers]]. On March 5, 2014, St. Louis was sent to New York along with a conditional 2015 second-round pick in exchange for New York captain [[Ryan Callahan]], a 2015 first-round draft pick, a conditional 2014 second-round pick and a 2015 conditional seventh-round pick. The deal came subsequently after Stamkos had been cleared to return to the Lightning's active roster. St. Louis cited his decision based on his family and thanked Lightning fans for their support during his tenure with the franchise, but would not specify any further about the reasons leading to his request.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/video?clipId=9913579|title=Exclusive Interview: Martin St. Louis|date=March 5, 2014|work=FOX|publisher=myfoxtampabay|access-date=March 6, 2014|archive-date=March 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306085826/http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/video?clipId=9913579|url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 6, Steven Stamkos was named Tampa Bay's 10th captain in his first game back after recovering from a tibia injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/10564945/steven-stamkos-tampa-bay-lightning-returns-broken-leg-45-games|title=Steven Stamkos back, named captain|agency=Associated Press|date=March 6, 2014|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref> On April 7, the team announced it had signed general manager Steve Yzerman to a four-year contract extension.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/07/lightning-sign-gm-yzerman-to-four-year-extension/ |title=Lightning sign GM Yzerman to four-year extension|first= Mike|last=Halford|work=NBC Sports Pro Hockey Talk|date=April 7, 2014|access-date=November 19, 2014}}</ref>
 
Finishing the season with 101 points, the Lightning placed second in the Atlantic Division, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2011. However, Tampa Bay was eliminated in the first round, losing to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in a four-game sweep.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400552526|title=Max Pacioretty lifts Habs to 2nd round in sweep of Lightning|agency=Associated Press|date=April 22, 2014|publisher=ESPN|access-date=April 23, 2014}}</ref>

====Contention for the Stanley Cup and one playoff absence (2014–2018)====
On June 25, 2014, the Lightning agreed to terms with [[Ryan Callahan]], signing him to a six-year, $34.8 million contract extension.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/11132358/ryan-callahan-sign-six-year-contract-tampa-bay-lightning|title=Ryan Callahan signs 6-year deal|last=LeBrun|first=Pierre |date=June 25, 2014|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref> The same day, the Lightning used its remaining compliance buyout on forward [[Ryan Malone]] after his on-ice performance had declined from injuries seasons prior in addition to his off-ice troubles that included a DUI arrest before the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24597113/lightning-use-second-compliance-buyout-on-ryan-malone|title=Lightning use second compliance buyout on Ryan Malone|last=Stubits|first=Brian|date=June 25, 2014|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref>

Finishing the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]] with 108 points, the Lightning placed second in the Atlantic Division and qualified for the playoffs for the second-straight season, scoring the most goals out of any team in the NHL. Tampa Bay eliminated the [[Detroit Red Wings]] in seven games in the first round of the playoffs before facing the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in the second round. The Lightning won the first three games of the series and had a chance to sweep the Canadiens; however, Montreal responded with wins in games 4 and 5 to extend the series to a sixth game. Tampa Bay won the sixth game of the series to eliminate the Canadiens and advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2011, facing the [[Presidents' Trophy]]-winning [[New York Rangers]]. In the conference finals, the Lightning and the Rangers split the first two games of the series in New York, with the Lightning winning game 2 of the series thanks to a [[Tyler Johnson (ice hockey)|Tyler Johnson]] hat-trick. The series then shifted to Tampa, where the Lightning had a come-from-behind overtime victory in game 3, but lost game 4 to even the series at two games apiece. During game 5 in New York, goaltender [[Ben Bishop]] recorded his second shutout of the playoffs in a 2–0 victory, but the Rangers responded in game 6 by scoring seven goals to tie the series at three games apiece. In game 7, Bishop recorded his third shutout of the playoffs in another 2–0 victory against the Rangers to lead the Lightning to their first appearance in the [[2015 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] since 2004. The Lightning not only became the first team to defeat the Rangers in a game 7 at [[Madison Square Garden]], but they also became the first team to successfully defeat three [[Original Six]] teams in the first three rounds of the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nhl-stanley-lightning-idUSKBN0OF0WW20150530|date=May 30, 2015|title=Lightning beat up on Original Six to reach Cup finals|work=Reuters|access-date=May 31, 2015}}</ref> The Lightning would face the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] in the Stanley Cup Finals, making it the first time a finalist faced four Original Six teams in the playoffs since the four-round format was introduced in [[1980 Stanley Cup playoffs|1980]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25200921/the-tampa-bay-lightning-and-their-playoff-journey-through-the-original-six|title=The Tampa Bay Lightning's playoff journey through the Original Six|first=Adam|last=Gretz |work=CBS Sports|date=May 31, 2015 |access-date=May 31, 2015}}</ref> After losing game 1 at home, the Lightning built a two games to one series lead, though the Blackhawks would win the following three games to win the Stanley Cup in six games at the [[United Center]] in [[Chicago]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/2015-chicago-blackhawks-vs-tampa-bay-lightning-stanley-cup-final.html|date=May 30, 2015|title=Lightning strikes again|agency=Hockey reference|access-date=September 6, 2020}}</ref> This made Tampa Bay the first team to beat three of the Original Six teams in the playoffs since the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] completed the feat in 1992. However, they became the first team to lose the Stanley Cup Finals despite beating three Original Six teams in the previous three rounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/tampa-bay-falls-short-loses-cup-game-shutout-31790484|title=Tampa Bay Falls Just Short, Loses the Cup in Game 6 Shutout|date=June 16, 2015|author=Beacham, Greg|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ABC News|access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Tampa Bay Lightning Game 6 Watch Party (18219067034) (cropped).jpg|thumb|A viewing party outside [[Amalie Arena]] for game 6 of the [[2015 Stanley Cup Finals]]]]
The Lightning had a slow start to the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16 season]]. The season was filled with controversy for the team, starting off with the contractual questions regarding captain [[Steven Stamkos]] and with the former third overall pick [[Jonathan Drouin]] publicly requesting a trade and being suspended from the organization. The Lightning picked up their play at the beginning of 2016 and set the franchise record to nine consecutive wins on March 5, 2016, when [[Alex Killorn]] scored with 42.5 seconds remaining in overtime to propel the Lightning to a 4–3 victory over the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] at Amalie Arena. On March 26, 2016, the Lightning announced cornerstone defenseman [[Anton Strålman|Anton Stralman]] had suffered a fractured leg in their game against the [[New York Islanders]] at home. Stamkos was out of the lineup for the team's game on April 2 against the [[New Jersey Devils]] in Tampa; general manager [[Steve Yzerman]] announced after the game that the captain would miss one-to-three months due to a blood clot in his arm. Due to unfortunate circumstances, the team had no other option but to bring Drouin back to the team. The Lightning ended up finishing second in the Atlantic Division and would once again face the third-seeded Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the [[2016 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]]. The Lightning played the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2016 playoffs for the second consecutive year and defeated them in five games after winning game five 1–0 at Amalie Arena. Next up, the [[New York Islanders]] (who had recently defeated the Panthers to win their first playoff series since the 1992–93 season) would face the Lightning. In game 1, the Islanders defeated the Bolts 5–3. The Lightning would eventually answer back by winning four consecutive games in the series to defeat the Isles in five games to move on to the conference finals for the second consecutive year, in large part due to back-to-back road overtime victories with goals scored by [[Brian Boyle]] and [[Jason Garrison]]. The Lightning were set to play against the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in the conference finals. In game 1 at [[Consol Energy Center]], star goaltender Ben Bishop would be added to the list of devastating injuries for the team as he left on a stretcher and did not return for the remainder of the series. Stralman would eventually return in game 2. A back-and-forth series would eventually lead to a game 7 showdown in [[Pittsburgh]]. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos surprisingly took warmups and was in the Lightning lineup after a long absence from blood clot surgery. However, it was not enough as the Lightning would fall in the game 2–1 against the Penguins for a 4–3 series defeat, who went on to defeat the [[San Jose Sharks]] and win the Stanley Cup while the Lightning came one win short from a second consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.

[[File:Nikita Kucherov 140103.png|thumb|upright|[[Nikita Kucherov]] emerged as the Lightning's leading point-scorer during the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16 season]].]]
With the Lightning under the spotlight in the 2016 off-season, Drouin rescinded his trade request. Steve Yzerman would then announce on June 29 the team re-signed Stamkos to an eight-year, cap-friendly deal. He would then sign star defenseman [[Victor Hedman]] to an eight-year contract on July 1, along with a seven-year deal for Alex Killorn and three-year deals to star winger [[Nikita Kucherov]] and goaltender [[Andrei Vasilevskiy]].

The Lightning narrowly missed the playoffs in the 2016–17 season. Finishing with 94 points, they were beaten to the second wildcard by the Toronto Maple Leafs, with 95 points. The 2016–17 season for the Lightning was a host of injuries, mainly their captain, Steven Stamkos. Stamkos went down in the 17th game, against the Detroit Red Wings on November 15, 2016. It was revealed he suffered from a torn left meniscus, which put him out for the rest of the season. Ryan Callahan would also play in only 18 games due to multiple surgeries to his back and hip.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/former-rangers-captain-ryan-callahan-diagnosed-with-degenerative-back-disease/ |title=Former Rangers captain Ryan Callahan diagnosed with degenerative back disease |work=CBS Sports |last=Benjamin |first=Cody |date=June 20, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2024}}</ref> Towards the end of the season, they traded goaltender Ben Bishop to the [[Los Angeles Kings]], center [[Brian Boyle]] to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and forward [[Valtteri Filppula]] to the [[Philadelphia Flyers]]. However, there were positive signs as winger Nikita Kucherov emerged with 40 goals for the first time in his career and the Lightning also showcased their young talent with rookie [[Brayden Point]] and promising AHL call-ups [[Yanni Gourde]] and [[Jake Dotchin]]. The Lightning bounced back with this talent in the last third of the season, but it was not enough as they missed the 2017 playoffs by one point.

In the 2017 off-season, the Lightning made a deal with the Montreal Canadiens to send Jonathan Drouin to their franchise in exchange for defensive prospect [[Mikhail Sergachev]] and a second-round pick in the [[2018 NHL entry draft]]. They also signed defenseman [[Daniel Girardi]] for two years and winger [[Chris Kunitz]] to a one-year deal.

[[File:Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay Lightning.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Victor Hedman]] won the [[James Norris Memorial Trophy]] in [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18]].]]
In the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]], Steven Stamkos returned from injury, scoring 20 points in the first 10 games and assisting on nine of Nikita Kucherov's 11 goals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/stamkos-transformation-into-kucherov-s-set-up-man-has-lightning-looking-scarier-than-ever|title=Stamkos' transformation into Kucherov's set-up man has Lightning looking scarier than ever {{!}} The Hockey News|last=Campbell|first=Ken|work=The Hockey News|access-date=November 21, 2017}}</ref> The Lightning finished the 2017–18 season with a record of 54–23–5, finishing with 113 points. The Lightning won their first [[Atlantic Division (NHL)|Atlantic Division]] title and first division title since the 2003–04 season, as well as securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the [[2018 Stanley Cup playoffs]]. Andrei Vasilevskiy was nominated for the [[Vezina Trophy]] for the first time. Nikita Kucherov scored 100 points during the regular season, finishing third overall in the league. Steve Yzerman was once again nominated for the [[NHL General Manager of the Year Award]]. During the 2018 playoffs, the Lightning eliminated the New Jersey Devils in the first round and the Boston Bruins in the second round, both in five games. However, they were defeated in the conference finals by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, in seven games, one win short from clinching a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals once more.

====First Presidents' Trophy winner swept in the first round (2018–2019)====
On September 11, 2018, it was announced that [[Steve Yzerman]] would be resigning from his position as general manager, and longtime assistant general manager [[Julien BriseBois]] would be taking his place as the new general manager.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2018/09/11/ap-source-steve-yzerman-stepping-down-as-lightning-gm/37783561/|title=AP Source: Steve Yzerman stepping down as Lightning GM|work=USA Today|access-date=September 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theathletic.com/518457/2018/09/11/steve-yzerman-stepping-down-as-lightning-general-manager/|title=Steve Yzerman stepping down as Lightning general manager|last=Smith|first=Joe|work=The Athletic|access-date=September 11, 2018}}</ref> During the [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19 season]], the Lightning clinched their first [[Presidents' Trophy]] and second consecutive division title after a 4–1 win over the [[Arizona Coyotes]] on March 18, 2019. Winning their final regular season game against the [[Boston Bruins]] on April 6, the Lightning finished with 62 wins, tying the NHL record set by the [[1995–96 Detroit Red Wings season|1995–96 Detroit Red Wings]] for most wins in a season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nearhos |first1=Diana C. |title=Lightning ties NHL wins record with No. 62 |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2019/04/06/lightning-ties-nhl-wins-record-with-no-62/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=April 8, 2019 |date=April 6, 2019}}</ref> [[Nikita Kucherov]] became the second player in Lightning franchise history (after [[Martin St. Louis]]) to win the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] as the league's most valuable player and the [[Art Ross Trophy]] as the league's leading point scorer, setting a new franchise record of 128 points. [[Andrei Vasilevskiy]] became the first player in franchise history to win the [[Vezina Trophy]] as the league's best goaltender. However, in the first round of the [[2019 Stanley Cup playoffs|2019 playoffs]], they were swept in four games by the eighth seeded [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] in that team's first-ever playoff series victory,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Merz |first1=Craig |title=Blue Jackets sweep Lightning in Game 4 for first playoff series victory |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/tampa-bay-lightning-columbus-blue-jackets-game-4-recap/c-306819236 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 2, 2023 |date=April 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417021235/https://www.nhl.com/news/tampa-bay-lightning-columbus-blue-jackets-game-4-recap/c-306819236 |archive-date=April 17, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> becoming the first Presidents' Trophy winner to be swept in the first round of the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nearhos |first1=Diana C. |title=Lightning's Jon Cooper: 'For six days in April, Columbus was the better team' |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2019/04/17/lightning-becomes-first-presidents-trophy-winner-to-be-swept-in-first-round/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=May 11, 2019 |date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> [[2019 Tampa Bay Lightning–Columbus Blue Jackets playoff series|The series]] is widely regarded as one of the biggest [[Upset (sports)|upset]]s in league history. Former NHL player and [[NBC Sports]] analyst [[Jeremy Roenick]] described Tampa's elimination as "one of the biggest letdowns in history", while the ''[[Tampa Bay Times]]'' described it as "the disappointment that all others are measured against".<ref>{{cite web |title=Quest for the Cup: Blue Jackets and Isles advance |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/video/quest-cup-blue-jackets-upset-lightning-islanders-sweep-penguins |website=NBC Sports |accessdate=April 17, 2019 |date=April 16, 2019 |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419003626/https://www.nbcsports.com/video/quest-cup-blue-jackets-upset-lightning-islanders-sweep-penguins |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Back-to-back Stanley Cups and three straight Finals appearances (2019–2022)====
Following their earlier than expected exit from the 2019 playoffs, several players left the Lightning. Left winger [[J. T. Miller]] was traded to the [[Vancouver Canucks]]. Backup goaltender [[Louis Domingue]] was dealt to the [[New Jersey Devils]] for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in [[2021 NHL entry draft|2021]]. Defenseman [[Anton Strålman|Anton Stralman]] left the team in free agency after five seasons and signed a three-year contract with the inner-state rival [[Florida Panthers]]. Right winger [[Ryan Callahan]]'s career was effectively ended when he was diagnosed with a degenerative back disease.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/former-rangers-captain-ryan-callahan-diagnosed-with-degenerative-back-disease/ | title = Former Rangers captain Ryan Callahan diagnosed with degenerative back disease | work = [[CBS Sports]] | date =June 20, 2019 | access-date =September 29, 2020}}</ref> Defenseman [[Daniel Girardi]] went unsigned over the summer and eventually announced his retirement from playing hockey effective immediately after his two-year contract he signed in 2017 expired.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/dan-girardi-retirement-1.5291473 | title = Former Lightning, Rangers d-man Dan Girardi retires as NHL's blocked shots leader | publisher = [[CBC News]] | date = September 20, 2019 | accessdate = September 20, 2019}}</ref> To make up for these losses, the Lightning signed defenseman [[Kevin Shattenkirk]] to a one-year contract, after his contract with the [[New York Rangers]] was bought out. Left winger [[Patrick Maroon]], who was coming off a [[Stanley Cup]] championship with his hometown team, the [[St. Louis Blues]], was also signed to a one-year deal. The Lightning re-signed centers [[Brayden Point]] and [[Cédric Paquette|Cedric Paquette]] to two and three-year contracts, respectively. Starting goaltender [[Andrei Vasilevskiy]]'s contract was also extended by eight years.

The Lightning began the season with a 17–13–4 record after 34 games. After this point, they won 23 of their next 26 games, including two separate win streaks of at least ten games, the second of which eventually set a new franchise record of eleven consecutive wins. They lost captain [[Steven Stamkos]] to injury once again, as he underwent surgery to repair a [[Core (anatomy)|core muscle]] in late February. He was expected to miss 6–8 weeks as a result, which at the time was expected to keep him out for the remainder of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.si.com/nhl/2020/02/29/lightning-steven-stamkos-injury-surgery | title = Lightning Captain Steven Stamkos to Miss 6–8 Weeks After Surgery | newspaper = [[Sports Illustrated]] | date =February 29, 2020 | access-date =September 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/lightning-captain-steven-stamkos-to-have-surgery/c-315697614 | title = Lightning Captain Steven Stamkos to have surgery | publisher = [[NHL]] | date =February 29, 2020 | access-date =September 29, 2020}}</ref>

Before the 2020 trade deadline the Lightning made two significant trades that would go on to be instrumental to their future success. On February 16, 2020, the Lightning acquired forward [[Blake Coleman]] from the New Jersey Devils for prospect [[Nolan Foote]] and a [[2020 NHL entry draft|2020]] first-round pick. Then on the last day before the deadline, the Lightning acquired forward [[Barclay Goodrow]] and a 2020 third-round pick from the San Jose Sharks for Tampa's 2020 first-round pick and [[Anthony Greco]].

[[File:Andrei Vasilevskiy 2018-05-21 1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Andrei Vasilevskiy]] backstopped the Lightning to back-to-back [[Stanley Cup]] championships, winning the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] as playoff MVP in [[2021 Stanley Cup playoffs|2021]].]]
Tampa Bay had only played 70 games when the NHL suspended the season on March 12, 2020, due to concerns over the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL statement on coronavirus |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-coronavirus-status/c-316155530 |website=NHL.com |access-date=March 12, 2020 |date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> It was not until late May that the league decided to cancel the remaining three weeks of the regular season. At the time, the Lightning had a record of 43–21–6 and were second in their conference. To finish the season, the league expanded the [[2020 Stanley Cup playoffs]] to include 24 teams rather than 16. In July, it was announced that the playoffs would begin August 1, and would take place in the Canadian cities of [[Toronto]] as the Eastern Conference hub, and [[Edmonton]] for the Western Conference. By virtue of having one of the top four highest point percentages at the time the season was suspended, the Lightning not only qualified for the playoffs, but would first compete in a single round-robin opening round group with the [[Boston Bruins]], [[Washington Capitals]], and [[Philadelphia Flyers]] to determine seeding.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stanley Cup Qualifiers schedule |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-round-robin-best-of-5-series-dates-times/c-317365910 |website=NHL.com |access-date=July 10, 2020 |date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> Winning two out of three games, the Lightning earned the second seed in the East.

Following the round-robin, the Lightning drew the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] again in the first round. The first game of the series ultimately became the [[Overtime (ice hockey)#List of notable overtime games|fourth-longest NHL game]] in history, as the game-winning goal was scored by Brayden Point at the 10:27 mark of the fifth overtime period. Point also scored in overtime for a second time in game five, eliminating Columbus.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lightning eliminate Blue Jackets with overtime win in Game 5 |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/lightning-eliminate-blue-jackets-overtime-win-game-5/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |access-date=August 19, 2020 |date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> In the second round, the Lightning faced the [[Presidents' Trophy]]-winning Boston Bruins. After losing the first game of this series, the Lightning rallied to win the next four, with [[Victor Hedman]]'s double-overtime goal in game 5 sealing the series victory for Tampa Bay.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lightning eliminate Bruins after Game 5 goes to double overtime |url=https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/08/31/lightning-eliminate-bruins-in-double-ot-game-5-kucherov-injured/ |author=James O'Brien |website=nbcsports.com |access-date=August 31, 2020 |date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> After advancing, the remainder of the Lightning's playoff run took place in Edmonton, which had been planned as the site of both of the conference finals and the Stanley Cup Finals. In the conference finals, the Lightning took on the [[New York Islanders]]. The Islanders extended the Lightning to six games, but Tampa Bay would once again prevail in overtime to win the series, with the game-winning goal this time being scored by [[Anthony Cirelli]]. The win earned the Lightning the [[Prince of Wales Trophy]] for the third time in their history, and their first trip to the [[Stanley Cup Finals]] since [[2015 Stanley Cup Finals|2015]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lightning eliminate Islanders in OT, will face Stars in Stanley Cup Final |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lightning-eliminate-islanders-will-face-stars-in-stanley-cup-final-031319767.html |author=Arun Srinivasan |website=yahoo.com |access-date=September 17, 2020 |date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> In the [[2020 Stanley Cup Finals]], the Lightning met the [[Dallas Stars]]. The teams split the first two games of the series. In game three, Steven Stamkos returned to the lineup, having missed the entire playoff run to that point after suffering an injury prior to the start of the playoffs, unrelated to an injury he sustained during the regular season.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/steven-stamkos-set-to-return-in-game-3/c-319164186 | title = Steven Stamkos set to return in Game 3 | publisher =[[NHL]] | date =September 23, 2020 | access-date =September 29, 2020}}</ref> He scored a goal on what was his only shot on goal of the series, as he did not take to the ice again following the end of the first period. Tampa Bay did, however, win both game three and four to take a 3–1 series lead. Dallas stayed alive in the series by winning game five 3–2 in double-overtime to force a game six, but the Lightning closed them out with a 2–0 win in game six to win their second [[Stanley Cup]] championship, and first since 2004.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stack |first1=Shaun |title=Who Are the Best Florida Sports Teams of All-Time? |url=https://spacecoastdaily.com/2023/04/who-are-the-best-florida-sports-teams-of-all-time/ |website=spacecoastdaily.com |access-date=December 20, 2023 |date=April 20, 2023}}</ref> [[Victor Hedman]] was named the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] winner as the [[Most Valuable Player|MVP]] of the playoffs, having recorded 22 points on 10 goals and 12 assists. [[Nikita Kucherov]] set a new franchise record for points in a single playoff season with 34, and also became the franchise leader for playoff goals, assists, and points. The team set a league record with over 221 minutes played in overtime periods alone.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=PR_NHL |number=1310950240028155904 |date=September 29, 2020 |title=The @TBLightning finished the postseason with a 7–2 record in overtime games, playing a League-record 221:14 overtime minutes in the 2020 postseason – equivalent to nearly four extra regulation games. |access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref> They also became the first team in league history to have three series-winning goals in overtime.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=PR_NHL |number=1310789637569425408 |date =September 29, 2020 |title=The @TBLightning won three series in OT and got clinching goals from NHL goals leader @BraydenPoint19 in both the First Round and #StanleyCup Final.. |access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref> [[Andrei Vasilevskiy]] surpassed both former Lightning goaltender [[Ben Bishop]] and [[Nikolai Khabibulin]] to become the franchise leader in playoff games played and playoff games won. The victory led to a new tradition for Tampa Bay sports teams: boat parades. The 2020 Lightning held a parade of boats on the [[Hillsborough River (Florida)|Hillsborough River]] rather than a traditional [[victory parade]] through the streets of the city, mainly to comply with COVID-19 regulations, but subsequent championship teams in Tampa have held similar parades even with those restrictions lifted.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lightning, City of Tampa to host boat parade, fan rally|url=https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/tampa-bay-lightning-city-of-tampa-to-host-boat-parade-fan-rally/c-319226540|access-date=July 16, 2021|website=NHL.com|date=September 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=February 10, 2021|title=Brady completes Lombardi pass as Bucs party|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30874484/tampa-bay-buccaneers-celebrate-super-bowl-lv-title-boat-parade|access-date=July 16, 2021|website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2021 Stanley Cup Celebration Events|url=https://www.nhl.com/lightning/fans/stanley-cup-celebration|access-date=July 16, 2021}}</ref>

Due to COVID-19, the league moved the Lightning to the [[Central Division (NHL)|Central Division]], where they would compete with the Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Hurricanes, Panthers, Predators, Red Wings, and Stars for the [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=2021 NHL season: Division realignment, coronavirus protocols, Stanley Cup Playoffs dates|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/2021-nhl-season-division-realignment-coronavirus-protocols-stanley-cup-playoffs-dates/|access-date=July 13, 2021|website=CBSSports.com|date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> The Lightning would only play against teams in the Central Division, with limited attendance to start the season. The team once again played in a shortened season, playing 56 games in total. [[Nikita Kucherov]] would miss the entire regular season with a hip surgery he had in December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Insight into Kucherov's injury and his playoff readiness|url=https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/insight-into-tampa-bay-lightning-forward-nikita-kucherovs-injury-and-his-playoff-readiness/c-324720060|access-date=July 13, 2021|website=NHL.com|date=May 14, 2021}}</ref> During the season, the Lightning acquired defenseman [[David Savard]] through a multi-team trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the [[Detroit Red Wings]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Savard acquired by Lightning in trade with Blue Jackets, Red Wings|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/tampa-bay-acquire-david-savard-in-three-team-trade-with-detroit-and-columbus/c-323496078|access-date=July 13, 2021|website=NHL.com}}</ref> The Lightning would also acquire defenseman [[Fredrik Claesson]] in another trade with the [[San Jose Sharks]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 12, 2021|title=Sharks trade Fredrik Claesson, acquire NCAA goalie from Lightning|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/04/12/sharks-trade-fredrik-claesson-acquire-goalie-prospect-from-lightning|access-date=July 13, 2021|website=The Mercury News}}</ref> The Lightning finished the season with a 36–17–3 record, and would finish third in the Central Division.

Entering the [[2021 Stanley Cup playoffs|2021 playoffs]], the Lightning would face against the [[Florida Panthers]] in the first round, making this the first time the [[Lightning–Panthers rivalry|state rivals]] would meet each other in the playoffs. The Lightning would win the series 4–2, with the last game continuing a playoff series clinching shutout streak that had carried over from the [[2020 Stanley Cup Finals]] against Dallas. In the second round, the Lightning would face the [[Carolina Hurricanes]]. In the third game of the series, [[Brayden Point]] would score the first goal in a playoff goal-scoring streak that would last for 9 games, coming in second to [[Reggie Leach]] with 10 games in a single playoff year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Point falls short of playoff goal streak record for Lightning|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/lightnings-point-falls-short-of-playoff-goal-streak-record/c-325479358|access-date=July 14, 2021|website=NHL.com}}</ref> The Hurricanes would win game 3 in overtime, however the Lightning would win the next two games to win the series 4–1. For the second consecutive year, the Lightning would again face the [[New York Islanders]] before heading to the Stanley Cup Finals. Due to the lack of conferences for this season, this series would not be called the conference finals, but instead it would be known as the Stanley Cup semifinals. The Islanders would once again take the Lightning to an extended series, having won game 6 in overtime to force the series to seven games. However, the Lightning would clinch the series in game 7 with a single shorthanded goal scored by [[Yanni Gourde]]. The win would earn the Lightning their second consecutive [[Prince of Wales Trophy]], and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. In the [[2021 Stanley Cup Finals]], the Lightning went up against the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. In the first three games, the Lightning would prevail, a notable highlight being the diving goal [[Blake Coleman]] would score with 1.1 seconds left in the second period in the second game in the series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Coleman goal in Game 2 of Final ranks among greatest in Lightning history|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-coleman-diving-goal-stanley-cup-final/c-325540652|access-date=July 13, 2021|website=NHL.com}}</ref> The Canadiens however would force a game 5 and prevent a sweep, winning game 4 in overtime. The Lightning however would win the Stanley Cup in game 5, with a single goal scored by [[Ross Colton]] in the second period. The game would also see the Lightning win in their own arena, the second time in team history, and the first time since the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] won the Cup in [[2015 Stanley Cup Finals|2015]], which coincidentally was against the Lightning. Starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP with 5 shutouts during the playoffs, 4 of which were series-clinching shutouts. Patrick Maroon would win his third consecutive Stanley Cup, one with his hometown team, the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and two with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021. Maroon later slipped and dropped the Stanley Cup and severely dented the trophy's bowl during a celebration at Julian B. Lane Park following the team's victory parade on July 12. Maroon cited the strong thunderstorm during the outdoor celebration as the reason, and the Cup was quickly repaired with no further issues whatsoever.<ref>{{Cite web|title=So that's what happened: Lightning's Pat Maroon admits to dropping the Stanley Cup|url=https://www.wtsp.com/article/sports/nhl/lightning/stanley-cup-pat-maroon-damage/67-920c5bcb-713b-4e89-92a4-47582db83b0b|access-date=July 16, 2021|website=wtsp.com|date=July 14, 2021}}</ref>

On February 26, 2022, the Lightning played their first outdoor game in franchise history against the host [[Nashville Predators]] in the [[2022 NHL Stadium Series]] at [[Nissan Stadium]]. The Lightning would win the game against the Predators with a score of 3–2, with Steven Stamkos receiving first star. On April 14, 2022, the Lightning clinched a playoff berth after a 4–3 overtime win against the [[Anaheim Ducks]]. In the [[2022 Stanley Cup playoffs|2022 playoffs]], the Lightning defeated the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] in seven games in the first round and swept their in-state rivals, the Presidents' Trophy–winning [[Florida Panthers]], in the second round. On June 11, the Lightning clinched their third straight Stanley Cup Finals berth after a 2–1 win against the New York Rangers in game six of the conference finals. However, in the [[2022 Stanley Cup Finals|2022 Finals]], they came up two wins short for a third consecutive Stanley Cup title by losing the series in game 6 against the [[Colorado Avalanche]] on June 26.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/colorado-avalanche-tampa-bay-lightning-game-6-recap/c-334578586|title=Avalanche edge Lightning in Game 6, win Cup for first time since 2001|last=Gulitti|first=Tom|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L. P.|date=June 26, 2022|website=NHL.com|accessdate=June 26, 2022}}</ref>

====Early playoff exits and Stamkos departure (2022–present)====
In the [[2022–23 NHL season|2022–23 season]], the Lightning finished in third place in the Atlantic Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference, and once again played the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] in the first round of the [[2023 Stanley Cup playoffs|2023 playoffs]]. However, this time, the Maple Leafs would avenge their loss the previous year and eliminated the Lightning 4–2. After a 7–3 game one win, Tampa lost 7–2 in game two. The Lightning then became the first team in Stanley Cup playoffs history to lose three overtime games at home, including a 2–1 loss in the deciding game six. It was the first time since 2019 that the Lightning failed to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – April 30, 2023 |url=https://media.nhl.com/public/news/17012 |website=NHL.com |access-date=November 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128075459/https://media.nhl.com/public/news/17012 |archive-date=November 28, 2024 |date=April 30, 2023}}</ref>

In the [[2023–24 NHL season|2023–24 season]], the Lightning finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division and the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, and qualified for the [[2024 Stanley Cup playoffs|2024 playoffs]] as the first wild card, but were eliminated by their in–state rivals and eventual Stanley Cup champions, the [[Florida Panthers]], in five games in the first round.

In the 2024 off-season, longtime captain [[Steven Stamkos]] signed with the [[Nashville Predators]] on the first day of free agency after Stamkos and the team were unable to come up with a contract extension agreement prior to start of free agency.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/steven-stamkos-nhl-tampa-bay-lightning-hockey |title=Thank You, Tampa Bay |author=Steven Stamkos |publisher=The Players Tribune |website=theplayerstribune |date=July 15, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/puzzling-strange-steven-stamkos-speaks-191728674.html |title='Puzzling and strange': Steven Stamkos speaks after saying goodbye to Lightning |author=Kaycee Sloan |website=yahoo.com |publisher=Sports Yahoo |date=July 1, 2024 |access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/steven-stamkos-leave-lightning-tampa-bay-captain-predators/fe2f9f8421a0f9154e7a89f6 |title=Why did Steven Stamkos leave the Lightning? Jake Guentzel deal leads to Tampa Bay captain signing with Predators |website=sportingnews.com |publisher=Sporting News |author=Bryan Murphy |date=July 1, 2024 |access-date=September 28, 2024}}</ref> They would subsequently name [[Victor Hedman]] as the next captain.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/lightning-name-victor-hedman-the-11th-captain-in-franchise-history |title=Lightning name Victor Hedman the 11th captain in franchise history |website=nhl.com |publisher=Tampa Bay Lightning |date=September 18, 2024 |access-date=September 18, 2024}}</ref>

In the [[2024–25 NHL season|2024–25 season]], the Lightning placed second in the Atlantic Division and the third seeding in the Eastern Conference. They played the [[Florida Panthers]] in the in the first round of the playoffs and lost 4–1. During the series [[Brandon Hagel]] was concussed by [[Aaron Ekblad]] in the second period of game 4, missing the rest of game 4 and also missed game 5.<ref>{{cite news |last=Russo |first=Michael |title=Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad suspended 1 game for hit on Lightning’s Brandon Hagel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6320962/2025/04/29/panthers-aaron-ekblad-suspension-brandon-hagel/ |work=The Athletic |publisher=The New York Times |date=April 29, 2025 |access-date=May 7, 2025}}</ref>