Editing Tampa Bay Lightning (section)

====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>