The Tampa Bay Lightning have been battling the injury bug since before the season started. However, despite this, they have continued to overcome their slow start and rise steadily. Without key players, they sit at 12-7-2 through 21 games.
Let’s dive deeper into who is out, and some of the keys to why this team is able to keep fighting through it all. After that, we will see if they can keep you.
Who released the lightning?
Some context helps with understanding the situation. They are currently without two key defenders, Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh. Both are leaders on this team and off the ice. Hedman has moved to the injured book, while McDonagh is out for a few weeks. Forward Pontus Holmberg, who was signed to help BOLSTER’s depth, is also off the injured book.
Recent developments suggest that Nikita Kuchereav and Brayden Point could be out after Saturday’s early exit. More on them in a bit.
Health time has helped
It sounds corny to say that there is a good time for injury, but hear me out. Going into the Edmonton Oilers Game on Thursday, they got Nick Paul back in the lineup. He had made it through the training camp, and worked at the gate.
Paul scored the tying goal late in the game, and the Lightning went on to win in overtime. So, the timing of getting him helped the Lightning get more of a game where the offense struggled all night.
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It helps that this injury does not tolerate you. They have many important players at the same time. However, they got the guys back in line and contributed while others stayed.
Another speed of CIRELLI’s work
Anthony Cirelli is no stranger to pitching, but he took out a driver again earlier this season. He is on pace for career highs in goals (36) and points (64). His current assist pace (27) would be his third-best in a season.
You missed the moment itself. This pace is based on not missing another game and getting 78 games. However, he has shown when he is available, and the majority he has, he is able to make the impact that the team needs.
This is the way he shines and those who follow the group are not strangers. Since midway through the 2023-24 season, Cirelli has seen his goals continue to improve. If he can reach these career-best numbers, it will be the third consecutive season he has done so.
Depth gets the job done
Getting donations across the board has come a long way. After failing to get on the stat sheet for 10 games, defenseman Darren Raddysh is on a four-game shutout. He has six points in that span, including three in Tuesday’s win over the Jersey Devils.
Oliver Bjorkstrand starts traveling again after a drought. He has five points in his last eight games, including a goal in Washington’s title win on Saturday.
Even Davidenseman Emil Lilleberg is getting in on the action. He has four points in his last 10 games. He has managed to stay out of penalty sets due to late time (six penalty minutes in his last 10 games compared to 31 in his first 11). He finds a way to get his work done in a clean way, and lo and behold, he helps the team.
Whether this is stable depends on who
While they were able to continue winning despite these injuries, they did not lose who they could change their money. Point and Kucherov are now day to day (when the lightning turns if Kucherov, the point of missing Proy Point?, Tampa Bay TimesNov. 23, 2025).
The point has been devastating this season, and the Lightning have continued to overcome that. Therefore, there is an argument that they can draw on his unavailability. However, losing Kephederov could be the straw that breaks that camel’s back.
When Kephederov struggled in the opening games of the season, the Lightning struggled mightily. They were 1-3-2 through six games, and Kephederov scored three points in four games (he missed a couple) and took part. At this point, they still have Brandon Hagel contributing, and Jake Guntzel is on fire. It helps, but it will show that they can succeed without their ted Lindsay win.
They have been doing it. Sometimes, there is a limit. If they can win a few games without their main sponsors, it would say more about this team than what they have put so far.
