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Lightning season in review player-by-player

The Tampa Bay Times takes a look at each player on the Lightning’s roster to assess the team’s season.
Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) celebrates with his team after he stops the final shooter, Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23), as the Bolts win in a shootout with a final score of 4-3.
Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) celebrates with his team after he stops the final shooter, Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23), as the Bolts win in a shootout with a final score of 4-3.
Published May 15, 2019
Updated May 24, 2019

Lightning beat writer Diana C. Nearhos and staff writer Mari Faiello will break down Tampa Bay’s season, the historic success followed historic failure, by looking at each player individually one day at a time. Find the whole series below and check back for new additions.

Related: Victor Hedman: Playoffs demonstrates his importance to the Lightning
Related: Tyler Johnson: Still tailor-made for the Lightning
Related: Yanni Gourde: Speed but the Lightning in the fast lane
Related: Brayden Point: He topped his breakout season with even better results
Related: Anton Strålman: Disappointing season puts his future in question
DIRK SHADD | Times Tampa Bay Lightning center Cedric Paquette (13) celebrates his first period goal after beating Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) 19 seconds after the start in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Tampa.
Related: Cedric Paquette: Disruptive play connects for the Lightning
Related: Mikhail Sergachev: Versatility filled various voids
Related: Nikita Kucherov: He achieved superstar status but there's still something missing
Related: Alex Killorn: Is he good enough to stay on the roster?
Related: Dan Girardi: Is he getting better or older
Related: Ryan McDonagh: Everything the Lightning could want ... until he wasn’t
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), left, celebrates his second period goal with teammate Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) against the Colorado Avalanche Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018 in Tampa.
Related: Ondrej Palat: When he's healthy, fuels Lightning’s success
Related: Anthony Cirelli: Consistent play belies his young age
Related: Erik Cernák: Rookie emerged seemingly from nowhere on the Lightning’s blue line
Related: Andrei Vasilevskiy: One of the league's best goalies made dazzling saves but also allowed goals
Lightning center J.T. Miller (10) scores to tie the game at 3 to 3 during the third period.
Related: J.T. Miller: Last year's addition has proven to be an added treat
Related: Matheiu Joseph: Rookie proves youth will be served
Related: Ryan Callahan: This season likely marks the end of his tenure
Related: Louis Domingue: Redemption for the backup goaltender
Related: Braydon Coburn: Is the defenseman distinct enough to hold a roster spot?
Related: Adam Erne: Forward earns a role with physicality

ALSO IN THIS SECTION

  1. Re-live some of Alex Killorn’s goals on the way to 20
    5 hours ago• Lightning
    Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) celebrate after he beats Arizona Coyotes goaltender Adin Hill (31) to score the first goal of the game during first period action at Amalie Arena on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 in Tampa. [DIRK SHADD | Tampa Bay Times]
    The Lightning forward has hovered just below 20 goals for years and finally reached the mark Friday.
  2. The Lightning finished a stretch of 13 games in 21 days. Where are they now?
    Yesterday• Lightning
    Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) leads the celebration as players contratulate right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) after he beat Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) to tie the game 3-3 in the final moments during third period action at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 in Tampa. The Lightning went on to win 4 to 3 in the shootout. [DIRK SHADD | Tampa Bay Times]
    Tampa Bay went from sixth place in the Atlantic Division to second behind a 10-game win streak.
  3. Lightning’s Anthony Cirelli gets first hat trick, Alex Killorn reaches 20 goals in win over Winnipeg Jets
    Yesterday• Lightning
    Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) gets beaten by a shot from Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov (86) as Lightning's Steven Stamkos (91) looks on during first-period NHL hockey game action in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. [JOHN WOODS | AP]
    Tampa Bay pours on the goals with seven total, including two from Nikita Kucherov.
  4. Lightning put Luke Schenn on waivers, then lose Cedric Paquette against Jets
    Yesterday• Lightning
    Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Luke Schenn (2) celebrates his goal, the first of the game, along with right wing Nikita Kucherov (86), defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) and center Tyler Johnson (9) beating New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) during first period action at Amalie Arena on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 in Tampa. [DIRK SHADD | Tampa Bay Times]
    Tampa Bay also reassigned Alex Volkov to AHL Syracuse as Pat Maroon returned to the lineup.
  5. Lightning’s defense backslides in loss to Minnesota Wild
    Jan. 17• Lightning
    Minnesota Wild's Zach Parise (11) tries to control the puck the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning's Jan Rutta (44) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn. [HANNAH FOSLIEN | AP]
    Tampa Bay falls off a recent trend of strong defense and lets Minnesota dictate the game.
  6. How Lightning’s accurate challenge vs. Minnesota Wild turned into a penalty
    Jan. 17• Lightning
    Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper watches from the bench as his team plays against the Minnesota Wild during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn. [HANNAH FOSLIEN | AP]
    Even if the play is erased by an earlier offsides, the penalty still must be served.
  7. Lightning’s Ryan McDonagh returns to lineup in his hometown
    Jan. 17• Lightning
    Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) in the tunnel before heading out to the ice for warms ups before taking on the New York Rangers at Amalie Arena on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 in Tampa. [DIRK SHADD | Tampa Bay Times]
    Playing in Minnesota is special for McDonagh, who grew up 12 miles from St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center.
  8. Top women’s players to be part of NHL All-Star Weekend
    Jan. 16• Lightning
    Canada's Geneviève Lacasse (31) blocks a shot by United States' Kendall Coyne Schofield (26) during the third period of a rivalry series women's hockey game in Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) [MICHAEL DWYER | AP]
    Teams representing the United States and Canada will play a 3-on-3 scrimmage as part of the festivities in St. Louis next week.
  9. Lightning’s Tampa turf a popular dads trip destination
    Jan. 16• Lightning
    TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 14: (Editor's Note: Image was digitally altered) The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Los Angeles Kings fathers, brothers and mentors during the Kings' annual team trip at Amalie Arena on January 14, 2020 in Tampa. (Photo by Casey Brooke Lawson/NHLI via Getty Images) [CASEY BROOKE LAWSON | NHLI via Getty Images]
    The Kings are the latest team to bring their annual trip to Tampa. The Capitals and Senators have also done so this year.
  10. Lightning’s Alex Volkov records his first NHL point
    Jan. 15• Lightning
    Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Alexander Volkov (92) before Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Kings. [CHRIS O'MEARA | AP]
    Also, Kings’ Jonathan Quick takes a Steven Stamkos one-timer up high.
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