Lightning Back on Top: Tampa Bay Continues Dominant Start to the Season

The Tampa Bay Lightning have surged to the top of the Atlantic Division in the early stages of the 2025–26 season. With a win this afternoon over the New York Rangers, Tampa improved to 16-7-2, giving them 34 points and solidifying their status as one of the league’s hottest teams. After last year’s disappointing first-round exit to the Florida Panthers, the Lightning entered this season with something to prove, and so far, they’ve looked like a team determined to reclaim their contender status.

A Recharged Core Driving the Offence

What’s made Tampa Bay so dangerous again is the resurgence of its core. Nikita Kucherov looks like an MVP candidate once more, Brayden Point remains one of the most reliable scorers in the league, and Jake Guentzel, still playing at an elite level, has given them the veteran consistency every contender relies on. Their transition game has been crisp, their puck movement efficient, and their special teams, both power play and penalty kill, have been among the best in the conference.

Even their depth, which took a hit after several years of cap-related departures, has stepped up. Players like Brandon Hagel and Nicholas Paul continue to provide the secondary scoring and energy Tampa needs. The Lightning no longer relies solely on superstar talent; they’ve rebuilt a balanced lineup capable of winning games in multiple ways.

Andrei Vasilevskiy Back to Form

After battling through injuries and inconsistency last season, Andrei Vasilevskiy has returned to looking like the goaltender who once dominated the NHL. His rebound control has improved, his lateral movement has sharpened, and his ability to hold games together when the Lightning face pressure has been crucial. When Vasilevskiy is dialled in, Tampa Bay becomes one of the hardest teams in the league to beat.

A Statement Season in the Making

While critics wondered whether this roster had peaked, the Lightning have answered quickly and convincingly. Their pace, their structure, and their competitiveness have all taken a noticeable jump. Head coach Jon Cooper has reintroduced the disciplined style that made them champions, and the group has responded with some of its best hockey since their Stanley Cup runs.

Tampa still has plenty of season ahead, and the Atlantic Division will be a battle with teams like Boston, Detroit, and Florida hovering close behind. But with the way the Lightning are playing fast, sharp, confident, and hungry, they look like a team fully capable of reclaiming their status as the heavyweight of the East.

If Tampa continues at this pace, the 2025–26 season won’t just be about redemption. It could be the year the Lightning officially announce they’re still a force, still elite, and still a threat to win it all.