The Tampa Bay Lightning finished the 2024-25 season with a strong 47-27-8 record and are in the playoffs for the eighth straight year because of it. They now have the opportunity to get revenge against the Florida Panthers in the first round after being knocked out by them last year.
However, the Panthers will be a big challenge, as they have a great roster and are the reigning Stanley Cup champions. As a result, the Lightning will need all of their players to be on their A-game, but especially these three.
Andrei Vasilevskiy
If the Lightning hope to lift the Stanley Cup this year, they will need Vasilevskiy to be in his top playoff form. The 30-year-old netminder was a massive reason for their two Stanley Cup championships at the start of the decade. This includes him taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2021.
When looking at Vasilevskiy's remarkable play this season, it is hard not to feel optimistic about the 2012 first-round pick heading into the playoffs. In 63 starts this season, he had a 38-20-5 record, a 2.18 goals-against average, and a .921 save percentage.
Nikita Kucherov
Kucherov was nothing short of incredible this campaign for the Lightning. In 78 games, he scored 37 goals and recorded a league-leading 121 points. With this, No. 86 has won his second straight Art Ross Trophy and third in total.
If Kucherov continues to dominate offensively during the playoffs for the Lightning, it will certainly help their chances of going on a long run this spring.
Victor Hedman
Hedman is gearing up for his first post-season as captain of the Lightning. This means the longtime Bolt has even more responsibility to lead the team as they look to win their third Stanley Cup since 2020 and fourth all-time.
Hedman also has a lot of pressure to succeed because he is the Lightning's top defenseman and is utilized in all situations. He is certainly still a star at this juncture of his career, too, posting 15 goals, 66 points, and a plus-18 rating in 79 contests this season. Thus, expectations are high for No. 77.
