After advancing to back-to-back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals between 2020-22 -- and winning two of them -- the Lightning are going all in again.

The Lightning (36-21-4) have gone from a team battling for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference to pushing toward the top of the Atlantic Division by going 10-1-1 in their past 12 games heading into their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Amalie Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN).

Outspoken skipper John Tortorella was hired as the fourth head coach in Lightning history midway through the 2000-2001 season. In a little over six seasons, Tortorella coached Tampa Bay to four straight playoff appearances, including a Stanley Cup Final and a Jack Adams Award in 2004.

Aleksander Barkov scored twice in the second period, Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 27 shots, and the Florida Panthers beat their in-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Monday night. The defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers won their fourth straight game,

because the Lightning have not picked near the top of the draft for a very long time. And he didn’t need to mention that Tampa Bay has two Stanley Cup titles and 30 more postseason victories ...

Yanni Gourde, acquired by TB, is a two-way centre who crashes the net, harrasses opponents, battles, forechecks, and even hits despite being only 5’9. Plays behind the net and extends possessions by protecting the puck and making low-to-high passes. Poor finishing touch. pic.twitter.com/Q8Xo18lVrZ

While the Tampa Bay Lightning answered the cross-state-rival and defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers' activity ahead of the NHL trade deadline with a big move of their own Wednesday to bolster their playoff chances,

The 2025 deadline showcased a shift away from the conservatism that NHL general managers had become known for in previous eras.

Two of the league's best square off in a matchup that could repeat in June. Plus, updated playoff projections, draft lottery standings, more.