Lightning clinch spot in 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Tampa Bay Lightning have officially clinched a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Lightning secured their franchise-record ninth straight postseason appearance (2017-18) after the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Saturday.
The @TBLightning, who have three #StanleyCup Final appearances since 2020, can become the first team since the start of the 1990s to appear in the Final four times in seven seasons. #NHLStats: media.nhl.com/public/stories…
The Lightning are 47-22-6 with 100 points through 75 games, ranked first in the Atlantic Division and second in the Eastern Conference. On Saturday, Tampa will host the Boston Bruins.
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Going into Saturday, Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov was second in the NHL for points with 124. He is also tied with Edmonton Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid for second in the NHL for assists with 83.
Kucherov is trying to win the fourth Art Ross Trophy of his career. He is also in contention for the second Hart Trophy in his 13-year career.
As for the team itself, Kucherov leads in all offensive categories with 41 goals and 83 assists for 124 points. Jake Guentzel is 41 points behind Kucherov with a second-place total of 83. Guentzel is also second in goals with 36 and second in assists for 47.
Defenseman Darren Raddysh is third on the team in assists with 46. He has had a breakout season, posting 20 goals and 46 assists for 66 points. His previous career highs were six goals and 31 assists for 37 points.
In net, Andrei Vasilevskiy is 36-13-4 with a .912 save percentage (SV%) and 22.2 goals saved above expected (GSAx) in 53 game. He ranks second in the league in save percentage and fifth in goals saved above expected.