• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

The High-Priced Lightning Are Nearly Unbeatable After Loss

  • Tampa is 15-0 following postseason defeats dating back to the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.
  • The defending Cup champions evened their best-of-seven series with the Maple Leafs at 1-1.
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Lightning specialize in bouncing back — which will make them a hard postseason out as they seek a third consecutive Stanley Cup.

On Wednesday, Tampa defeated the Maple Leafs 5-3 to even their series at one. The Bolts are now 15-0 following a postseason loss, a streak going back to the 2020 playoffs.

On a team with the NHL’s highest payroll ($108M), the Bolts’ big-money stars played a big part in righting the ship — especially netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has been in goal for all of Tampa’s bounce-back wins. 

  • He notched postseason win No. 50, joining Marc-Andre Fleury (91) and Braden Holtby (50) as the only active goalies with at least 50.
  • Vasilevskiy ($9.5M cap hit, T15 in NHL) has a 1.31 goals-against average, .948 save percentage, and five shutouts following a playoff loss since 2020.
  • Nikita Kucherov ($9.5M, T15) added a goal and two assists to his 130 points (45 goals, 85 assists) over 115 postseason games.
  • Victor Hedman ($7.9M, 47) set a franchise record for points by a defenseman in a playoff game (goal, three assists) and leads active blue-liners in the postseason (134).

The Lightning now enjoy home-ice advantage for Friday’s Game 3 as they look to become the first team to win three Cups in a row since the 1980-83 Islanders. 

But the Bolts haven’t quite bounced back yet with oddsmakers: Tampa is the sixth-favorite (+1100) to win the championship, just behind Toronto (+900).

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Wells Fargo Center before game between Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.

New Philly Arena Will Redefine Home-Court Advantage, CEO Says

The forthcoming venue will arrive with plenty of ambition among its owners.
TSU Hockey at Bridgestone

Tennessee State’s HBCU Hockey Ambitions Delayed at Least a Year

The school will not launch the first-of-its-kind program as intended.
Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Nicholas DeGraves (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston University Terriers during the third period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Commitment Cements College Hockey Supremacy

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State decision signals hockey’s rising stars now prefer college.

NHL to Rejoin Olympic Ice in Milan—and NBC Set to Cash In

NHL players last competed in the Olympics in 2014.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Alex Sarr

Wizards Pushing Limits of Youth With 11 Players on Rookie Deals

Washington’s 2025 first-round pick is top-eight protected.
Chelsea
July 8, 2025

Chelsea Club World Cup Run Banks at Least $100M for Mark Walter..

The Blues will likely take home between $100 million and $120 million.
July 9, 2025

From Dynasty to Disarray: Red Bull Fires Christian Horner

He served as Red Bull team principal for more than two decades.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 8, 2025

Texas Sports Teams, Leagues Donate Over $5M to Flood Relief

NFL, MLB, and NBA teams in Texas donate to flood recovery efforts.
Chelsea
July 8, 2025

Club World Cup Semis Are Battle to Make Richest Soccer Final Ever

Semifinalists have each earned at least $60 million from the tournament so far.
July 7, 2025

Nationals Hit Reset Button, Oust Rizzo and Martinez Before Draft

The MLB club made major leadership changes just days before the draft.
July 6, 2025

Liverpool to Pay Diogo Jota’s $20M Contract to His Widow

Jota had two years remaining on his contract.