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2019–20 Tampa Bay Lightning season

National Hockey League team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2019–20 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 28th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991.[2] The Lightning entered the season as the defending Atlantic Division and Presidents' Trophy champions.

Division2nd Atlantic
Conference2nd Eastern
2019–20 record43–21–6
Home record22–10–2
Quick facts Tampa Bay Lightning, Division ...
2019–20 Tampa Bay Lightning
Stanley Cup champions
Eastern Conference champions
Division2nd Atlantic
Conference2nd Eastern
2019–20 record43–21–6
Home record22–10–2
Road record21–11–4
Goals for245
Goals against195
Team information
General managerJulien BriseBois
CoachJon Cooper
CaptainSteven Stamkos
Alternate captainsVictor Hedman
Alex Killorn
Ryan McDonagh
ArenaAmalie Arena
Average attendance18,922[1]
Minor league affiliatesSyracuse Crunch (AHL)
Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)
Team leaders
GoalsNikita Kucherov (33)
AssistsNikita Kucherov (52)
PointsNikita Kucherov (85)
Penalty minutesPatrick Maroon (71)
Plus/minusAnthony Cirelli
Brayden Point (+28)
WinsAndrei Vasilevskiy (35)
Goals against averageAndrei Vasilevskiy (2.56)
Close

The season was suspended by the league officials on March 12, 2020, after several other professional and collegiate sports organizations followed suit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4] On May 26, the NHL regular season was officially declared over with the remaining games being cancelled. On July 10, following the extension of the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement by the league and the Players' Association, it was announced that the Canadian cities of Toronto and Edmonton would be the locations the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs would be staged in. The conclusion of the playoffs would be held in Edmonton as the site of both conference finals and the Stanley Cup Finals.[5][6]

The playoffs began on August 1 in a modified format involving 24 teams. The Lightning began in Toronto with the other Eastern Conference teams and were given a bye into the first round by virtue of having the second-highest point percentage in the Eastern Conference at the time of the pause. For seeding, they competed in a four-team single round-robin along with the Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers,[7] in which they finished in second place. The Lightning then defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round in five games, and the Boston Bruins in the second round, also in five games. Shifting to Edmonton, they competed in their fourth Eastern Conference Finals in the past six seasons, defeating the New York Islanders in six games.

On September 28, 2020, the Lightning won their second Stanley Cup in franchise history, and the first in 16 years since 2004 after defeating the Dallas Stars in six games. Victor Hedman won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

On August 27, the playoffs were briefly suspended as the remaining teams decided not to play their next scheduled contests in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake.[8]

Off-season

April

The Lightning's off season began on April 16, 2019, when they were swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.[9]

May

The Lightning's first move of the off season happened on May 3, 2019, when the team signed Jan Rutta to a 1-year contract extension. Rutta appeared in 14 regular season games and 4 playoffs games for the Lightning after coming over in a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks.[10][11]

On May 23, 2019, the Lightning and forward prospect Jonne Tammela mutually agreed to part ways via contract termination.[12] On May 28, 2019, Tammela signed with Lukko of the Liiga hockey league in Finland.[13]

June

On June 14, 2019, the Lightning re-signed defenceman Cameron Gaunce to a 1-year contract extension. Last season Gaunce appeared in two regular season games with the Lightning.[14]

On June 18, 2019, the Lightning re-signed defenceman Braydon Coburn to a two-year contract extension valued at $3.4 million. The contract will carry a $1.7 million cap hit. Coburn was coming off a three-year contract with the team. In 74 games last season Coburn produced 23 points, which set a personal best during his tenure with the club.[15][16]

On June 19, 2019, the Lightning announced that they had re-signed defenceman Daniel Walcott to a 1-year contract extension. Walcott missed the majority of the previous season due to injury.[17]

That same evening, the NHL conducted the 2019 NHL Awards in Las Vegas. Nikita Kucherov was awarded the Ted Lindsay Award and Hart Memorial Trophy.[18] Kucherov was the second player in franchise history win the Ted Lindsay Award and Hart Memorial Trophy.[19][20] Andrei Vasilevskiy was awarded the Vezina Trophy. Vasilevskiy was the first goaltender in franchise history to win the award.[21] Additionally, the NHL announced the NHL All-Star teams and the NHL All-Rookie Team. Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy were named to the NHL first All-Star team and Victor Hedman was named to the NHL second All-Star team.[22] Anthony Cirelli was named to the All-Rookie Team.[23]

On June 20, 2019, the Lightning announced that Ryan Callahan had been diagnosed with a degenerative disk disease of the lower spine. Doctors gave Callahan the recommendation that it was medically in his best interest to no longer play hockey. The team further announced that it would be placing Callahan on Long Term Injured Reserve for the upcoming season, which is the final year of his contract. Callahan stated in an interview after the announcement that his back had been an issue for him for the last few seasons and that this past season was the worst it had been. Callahan will finish his career with 757 games played, recording 186 goals and 386 points.[24]

On June 22, 2019, the Lightning traded forward J. T. Miller to the Vancouver Canucks on the second day of the 2019 NHL entry draft. The Lightning received goaltender Marek Mazanec, a 3rd-round pick in 2019, and a conditional 1st-round pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft. The condition of the pick is that if the Canucks miss the playoffs in the coming season the pick becomes a 1st-round pick in 2021.[25]

July

On July 5, 2019, the Lightning re-signed forward Carter Verhaeghe to a 1-year contract extension. Verhaeghe led the Syracuse Crunch and American Hockey League in scoring with 82 points (34 goals and 48 assists).[26][27]

On the same day, the Lightning re-signed forward Cedric Paquette to a 2-year, contract extension. The cap hit on the contract is valued at $1.65 million. Paquette recorded 13 goals and 17 points last season for the Lightning.[28]

On July 8, 2019, the Lightning signed forward Gemel Smith to a 1-year, 2-way contract. Last season Smith skated with the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins, appearing in 17 NHL games in which he recorded 2 goals and 1 assist. In his professional career Smith has appearing in 80 NHL games, recording 11 goals and 20 points.[29][30]

On July 9, 2019, the Lightning re-signed forward Danick Martel to a 1-year contract extension. Martel made the Lightning's roster last season, but primarily was healthy scratched. Martel skated in 9 games, recording 2 assists.[31][32][33]

On July 16, 2019, the Lightning re-signed defenseman Ben Thomas to a 1-year contract extension. Thomas was drafted by the Lightning in the 2014 NHL entry draft, and has spent the previous seasons three seasons in the American Hockey League with the Syracuse Crunch.[34]

On July 17, 2019, the Lightning re-signed defenseman Dominik Masin to a 1-year contract extension. Masin has spent the last three seasons playing for the Syracuse Crunch. Last season Masin skated in 69 games with the Crunch, recording 2 goals and 10 assists.[35]

On July 29, 2019, the Lightning re-signed starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to a $76 million, 8-year contract extension. The annual cap hit is valued at $9.5 million. Vasilevskiy was coming off his first career Vezina Trophy win as the NHL's top goaltender. Vasilevskiy recorded a .925 save percentage, 2.40 goals-against average, and 6 shutouts during his Vezina campaign.[36]

On July 30, 2019, the Lightning traded forward Ryan Callahan and the team's fifth-round 2020 draft pick to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Mike Condon and Ottawa's 2020 sixth-round pick. The move freed up approximately $3.4 million in cap space.[37]

August

On August 5, 2019, the Lightning signed free-agent defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk to a one-year, $1.75 million contract. Shattenkirk had played the previous two seasons for the New York Rangers before being bought out by the team. In the season prior to his buyout, Shattenkirk recorded 2 goals and 26 assists over 76 games.[38]

On August 14, 2019, the Lightning traded forward Adam Erne to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NHL draft. Last season Erne skated in 65 games with the Lightning, recording 7 goals and 13 assists. Erne was originally acquired by the Lightning in the second-round of the 2013 NHL entry draft.[39]

On August 24, 2019, the Lightning signed free-agent forward Patrick Maroon to a one-year, $900,000 contract. Maroon spent the previous season with the St. Louis Blues where he helped them capture their first Stanley Cup championship. Maroon scored 10 goals, and 28 points over 74 games in the regular season. In the playoffs Maroon recorded 3 goals and 7 points in 26 games.[40]

Training camp

September

On September 11, 2019, the Lightning announced their training camp roster for the coming season. The camp is to be divided among three rosters, which are named after Lightning radio and television broadcasters (Rick Peckham, Phil Esposito and Bobby ‘The Chief’ Taylor).[41][42] Notably absent from the roster was Lightning forward Brayden Point, who was a restricted free agent.[43]

On September 18, 2019, the Lightning made their first round of training camp roster cuts. The team trimmed their roster of six players to reduce the camp roster down to 56 players. Lightning prospects Gabriel Fortier, Maxim Cajkovic and Quinn Schmeimann were assigned to their junior teams. Eli Zummack, Louis Crevier and Cody Donaghey were released from their tryout agreements.[44]

On September 20, 2019, the Lightning placed goaltenders Mike Condon and Louis Domingue on waivers for the purpose of assignment to the Syracuse for the upcoming season. Domingue served as the Lightning's backup last season and Condon was acquired in trade of forward Ryan Callahan. The team was rumored to have been trying to trade Domingue all summer, but no trade materialized. Both goaltenders cleared waivers the following day.[45]

On September 21, 2019, the Lightning made their second round of training camp roster cuts to reduce their roster to 42-players. The forward group cut consisted of Peter Abbandonato, Jimmy Huntington, Boris Katchouk, Alexey Lipanov, Ryan Lohin, Kevin Lynch, Mikhail Shalagin, and Dennis Yan. On defense it was Luc Snuggerud, Oleg Sosunov, Matt Spencer, and Nolan Valleau. Clint Windsor was the sole goaltender cut among the group. This group of players will report to Syracuse for training camp. Additionally, Cory Conacher, Chris Mueller and Spencer Martin were placed on waivers with the purpose of assignment to Syracuse.[46][47]

On September 22, 2019, the Lightning made their third round of training cam roster cuts. The team assigned forwards Alex Barre-Boulet, Ross Colton, Cory Conacher, Chris Mueller, Otto Somppi, and Mitchell Stephens to Syracuse. Defeseman Cal Foote and goaltender Spencer Martin were also assigned to Syracuse. Conacher, Mueller and Martin were assigned due to having cleared waivers. Forward Nolan Foote was assigned to his junior club (Kelowna Rockets). The team also placed Cameron Gaunce, Dominik Masin and Scott Wedgewood on waivers for assignment to Syracuse.[48][49] All three players cleared waivers the following day.[50]

On September 23, 2019, the Lightning announced that it had re-signed center Brayden Point to a three-year contract extension with a cap hit valued at $6.75 million annually. Point set career highs last season, recording 41 goals, 92 points and 51 assists.[51] The team also announced that Point would not be medically cleared to play until late October due a procedure he had in the off-season.

On September 30, 2019, the Lightning made its final training camp roster cuts. The Lightning assigned forwards Danick Martel and Alexander Volkov to the Syracuse Crunch. Defenseman Luke Schenn was placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Syracuse. The forwards named to the opening night roster were Anthony Cirelli, Yanni Gourde, Tyler Johnson, Mathieu Joseph, Alex Killorn, Nikita Kucherov, Patrick Maroon, Ondrej Palat, Cedric Paquette, Brayden Point, Gemel Smith, Steven Stamkos, and Carter Verhaeghe. The defensemen named were Erik Cernak, Braydon Coburn, Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Jan Rutta, Mikhail Sergachev, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Luke Witkowski. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Curtis McElhinney were the starting and backup goaltenders named to the roster.[52][53]

Standings

Divisional standings

More information Pos, GP ...
Atlantic Division
Pos Team GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD Pts
1 p – Boston Bruins 70 44 14 12 38 227 174 +53 100
2 Tampa Bay Lightning 70 43 21 6 35 245 195 +50 92
3 Toronto Maple Leafs 70 36 25 9 28 238 227 +11 81
4 Florida Panthers 69 35 26 8 30 231 228 +3 78
5 Montreal Canadiens 71 31 31 9 19 212 221 −9 71
6 Buffalo Sabres 69 30 31 8 22 195 217 −22 68
7 Ottawa Senators 71 25 34 12 18 191 243 −52 62
8 Detroit Red Wings 71 17 49 5 13 145 267 −122 39
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Source: National Hockey League[54]
p – Clinched Presidents' Trophy

Eastern Conference

More information Pos, GP ...
Pos Team GP W L OTL RW GF GA GD PCT Qualification
1 Boston Bruins 70 44 14 12 38 227 174 +53 .714 Advance to Seeding round-robin tournament[55]
2 Tampa Bay Lightning 70 43 21 6 35 245 195 +50 .657
3 Washington Capitals 69 41 20 8 31 240 215 +25 .652
4 Philadelphia Flyers 69 41 21 7 31 232 196 +36 .645
5 Pittsburgh Penguins 69 40 23 6 29 224 196 +28 .623 Advance to 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs qualifying round[55]
6 Carolina Hurricanes 68 38 25 5 27 222 193 +29 .596
7 New York Islanders 68 35 23 10 24 192 193 −1 .588
8 Toronto Maple Leafs 70 36 25 9 28 238 227 +11 .579
9 Columbus Blue Jackets 70 33 22 15 25 180 187 −7 .579
10 Florida Panthers 69 35 26 8 30 231 228 +3 .565
11 New York Rangers 70 37 28 5 31 234 222 +12 .564
12 Montreal Canadiens 71 31 31 9 19 212 221 −9 .500
13 Buffalo Sabres 69 30 31 8 22 195 217 −22 .493
14 New Jersey Devils 69 28 29 12 22 189 230 −41 .493
15 Ottawa Senators 71 25 34 12 18 191 243 −52 .437
16 Detroit Red Wings 71 17 49 5 13 145 267 −122 .275
Close
Source: National Hockey League[56]

Schedule and results

Preseason

More information Game, Date ...
2019 preseason game log: 2–3–2 (Home: 1–1–1; Road: 1–2–1)[57]
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordRecap
1September 17Carolina Hurricanes0–3WedgewoodAmalie Arena12,0100–1–0[58]
2September 18@ Carolina Hurricanes0–2MartinPNC Arena0–2–0[59]
3September 20Nashville Predators3–1McElhinneyAmalie Arena13,4561–2–0[60]
4September 21@ Nashville Predators4–5OTWedgewoodBridgestone Arena1–2–1[61]
5September 24@ Florida Panthers3–6VasilevskiyBB&T Center8,7441–3–1[62]
6September 26@ Florida Panthers4–2McElhinneyBB&T Center8,6112–3–1[63]
7September 28Florida Panthers0–1SOVasilevskiyAmalie Arena14,7322–3–2[64]
Lightning score listed first;

  Win   Loss   Overtime/shootout loss

Close

Regular season

More information Game, Date ...
2019–20 regular season game log[65]
October: 6–4–2, 14 points (Home: 2–1–1; Road: 4–3–1)
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
1October 3Florida Panthers5–2VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,0921–0–02[66]
2October 5@ Florida Panthers3–4VasilevskiyBB&T Center17,4241–1–02[67]
3October 6@ Carolina Hurricanes3–4OTMcElhinneyPNC Arena14,1251–1–13[68]
4October 10@ Toronto Maple Leafs7–3VasilevskiyScotiabank Arena19,3872–1–15[69]
5October 12@ Ottawa Senators2–4McElhinneyCanadian Tire Centre11,0232–2–15[70]
6October 15@ Montreal Canadiens3–1VasilevskiyBell Centre20,4063–2–17[71]
7October 17@ Boston Bruins4–3SOVasilevskiyTD Garden17,1934–2–19[72]
8October 19Colorado Avalanche2–6VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,0924–3–19[73]
9October 23Pittsburgh Penguins3–2VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,0925–3–111[74]
10October 26Nashville Predators2–3OTMcElhinneyAmalie Arena19,0925–3–212[75]
11October 29@ New York Rangers1–4VasilevskiyMadison Square Garden17,1965–4–212[76]
12October 30@ New Jersey Devils7–6OTMcElhinneyPrudential Center13,1526–4–214[77]
November: 6–5–1, 13 points (Home: 4–3–0; Road: 2–2–1)
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
13November 1@ New York Islanders2–5VasilevskiyNassau Coliseum12,0436–5–214[78]
14November 8@ Buffalo Sabres3–2VasilevskiyEricsson Globe†13,2307–5–216[79]
15November 9Buffalo Sabres5–3McElhinneyEricsson Globe†13,3398–5–218[80]
16November 14New York Rangers9–3VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,0929–5–220[81]
17November 16Winnipeg Jets3–4VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,0929–6–220[82]
18November 19@ St. Louis Blues1–3VasilevskiyEnterprise Center18,0969–7–220[83]
19November 21@ Chicago Blackhawks4–2McElhinneyUnited Center21,33610–7–222[84]
20November 23Anaheim Ducks6–2VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09211–7–224[85]
21November 25Buffalo Sabres5–2VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09212–7–226[86]
22November 27St. Louis Blues3–4VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09212–8–226[87]
23November 29@ Washington Capitals3–4OTVasilevskiyCapital One Arena18,57312–8–327[88]
24November 30Carolina Hurricanes2–3McElhinneyAmalie Arena19,09212–9–327[89]
† Games played in Stockholm, Sweden
December: 9–4–1, 19 points (Home: 6–3–1; Road: 3–1–0)
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
25December 3@ Nashville Predators3–2OTVasilevskiyBridgestone Arena17,16313–9–329[90]
26December 5Minnesota Wild4–5VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09213–10–329[91]
27December 7San Jose Sharks7–1VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09214–10–331[92]
28December 9New York Islanders1–5McElhinneyAmalie Arena19,09214–11–331[93]
29December 10@ Florida Panthers2–1VasilevskiyBB&T Center10,68515–11–333[94]
30December 12Boston Bruins3–2VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09216–11–335[95]
31December 14Washington Capitals2–5VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09216–12–335[96]
32December 17Ottawa Senators4–3OTVasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09217–12–337[97]
33December 19Dallas Stars3–4OTVasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09217–12–438[98]
34December 21@ Washington Capitals1–3McElhinneyCapital One Arena18,57317–13–438[99]
35December 23Florida Panthers6–1VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09218–13–440[100]
36December 28Montreal Canadiens5–4VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09219–13–442[101]
37December 29Detroit Red Wings2–1McElhinneyAmalie Arena19,09220–13–444[102]
38December 31@ Buffalo Sabres6–4VasilevskiyKeyBank Center18,46521–13–446[103]
January: 10–2–1, 21 points (Home: 3–0–0; Road: 7–2–1)
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
39January 2@ Montreal Canadiens2–1VasilevskiyBell Centre20,90422–13–448[104]
40January 4@ Ottawa Senators5–3McElhinneyCanadian Tire Centre13,91423–13–450[105]
41January 5@ Carolina Hurricanes3–1VasilevskiyPNC Arena18,01524–13–452[106]
42January 7Vancouver Canucks9–2VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09225–13–454[107]
43January 9Arizona Coyotes4–0VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09226–13–456[108]
44January 11@ Philadelphia Flyers1–0VasilevskiyWells Fargo Center19,86627–13–458[109]
45January 12@ New Jersey Devils1–3McElhinneyPrudential Center14,20327–14–458[110]
46January 14Los Angeles Kings4–3SOVasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09228–14–460[111]
47January 16@ Minnesota Wild2–3McElhinneyXcel Energy Center17,30528–15–460[112]
48January 17@ Winnipeg Jets7–1VasilevskiyBell MTS Place15,32529–15–462[113]
All-Star Break (January 23–26)
49January 27@ Dallas Stars2–3OTVasilevskiyAmerican Airlines Center18,34529–15–563[114]
50January 29@ Los Angeles Kings4–2VasilevskiyStaples Center18,23030–15–565[115]
51January 31@ Anaheim Ducks4–3VasilevskiyHonda Center16,03231–15–567[116]
February: 10–4–0, 20 points (Home: 6–2–0; Road: 4–2–0)
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
52February 1@ San Jose Sharks3–0McElhinneySAP Center17,56232–15–569[117]
53February 4Vegas Golden Knights4–2VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09233–15–571[118]
54February 6Pittsburgh Penguins4–2VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09234–15–573[119]
55February 8New York Islanders3–1VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09235–15–575[120]
56February 10@ Columbus Blue Jackets2–1OTMcElhinneyNationwide Arena17,13136–15–577[121]
57February 11@ Pittsburgh Penguins2–1OTVasilevskiyPPG Paints Arena18,44537–15–579[122]
58February 13Edmonton Oilers3–1VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09238–15–581[123]
59February 15Philadelphia Flyers5–3VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09239–15–583[124]
60February 17@ Colorado Avalanche4–3OTMcElhinneyPepsi Center18,10740–15–585[125]
61February 20@ Vegas Golden Knights3–5VasilevskiyT-Mobile Arena18,37640–16–585[126]
62February 22@ Arizona Coyotes3–7VasilevskiyGila River Arena14,82540–17–585[127]
63February 25Toronto Maple Leafs3–4VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09240–18–585[128]
64February 27Chicago Blackhawks2–5McElhinneyAmalie Arena19,09240–19–585[129]
65February 29Calgary Flames4–3VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09241–19–587[130]
March: 2–2–1, 5 points (Home: 1–1–0; Road: 1–1–1)
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionLocationAttendanceRecordPointsRecap
66March 3Boston Bruins1–2VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09241–20–587[131]
67March 5Montreal Canadiens4–0VasilevskiyAmalie Arena19,09242–20–589[132]
68March 7@ Boston Bruins5–3VasilevskiyTD Garden17,85043–20–591[133]
69March 8@ Detroit Red Wings4–5OTMcElhinneyLittle Caesars Arena18,84143–20–692[134]
70March 10@ Toronto Maple Leafs1–2VasilevskiyScotiabank Arena19,12443–21–692[135]
Cancelled games
GameDateOpponentLocation
71March 12Philadelphia FlyersAmalie Arena
72March 14Detroit Red WingsAmalie Arena
73March 15New Jersey DevilsAmalie Arena
74March 18@ Vancouver CanucksRogers Arena
75March 20@ Edmonton OilersRogers Place
76March 21@ Calgary FlamesScotiabank Saddledome
77March 25Toronto Maple LeafsAmalie Arena
78March 27Columbus Blue JacketsAmalie Arena
79March 28New York RangersAmalie Arena
80March 31Ottawa SenatorsAmalie Arena
81April 2@ Columbus Blue JacketsNationwide Arena
82April 4@ Detroit Red WingsLittle Caesars Arena
Lightning score listed first;

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Close

Playoffs

More information Game, Date ...
Seeding Round-robin – Tampa Bay finishes 2nd
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionRecordPointsRecap
1August 3Washington Capitals3–2SOVasilevskiy1–0–02[136]
2August 5@ Boston Bruins3–2Vasilevskiy2–0–04[137]
3August 8Philadelphia Flyers1–4Vasilevskiy2–1–04[138]
† Games played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lightning score listed first;

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Close
More information 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, Game ...
2020 Stanley Cup playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7) - Tampa Bay wins series 4–1
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionSeriesRecap
1August 11Columbus Blue Jackets3–25OTVasilevskiy1–0[139]
2August 13Columbus Blue Jackets1–3Vasilevskiy1–1[140]
3August 15@ Columbus Blue Jackets3–2Vasilevskiy2–1[141]
4August 17@ Columbus Blue Jackets2–1Vasilevskiy3–1[142]
5August 19Columbus Blue Jackets5–4OTVasilevskiy4–1[143]
† Games played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Eastern Conference Second Round vs. Boston Bruins (4) - Tampa Bay wins series 4–1
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionSeriesRecap
1August 23Boston Bruins2–3Vasilevskiy0–1[144]
2August 25Boston Bruins4–3OTVasilevskiy1–1[145]
3August 26@ Boston Bruins7–1Vasilevskiy2–1[146]
4August 29@ Boston Bruins3–1Vasilevskiy3–1[147]
5August 31Boston Bruins3–22OTVasilevskiy4–1[148]
† Games played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Eastern Conference Finals vs. New York Islanders (6) - Tampa Bay wins series 4–2
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionSeriesRecap
1September 7New York Islanders8–2Vasilevskiy1–0[149]
2September 9New York Islanders2–1Vasilevskiy2–0[150]
3September 11@ New York Islanders3–5Vasilevskiy2–1[151]
4September 13@ New York Islanders4–1Vasilevskiy3–1[152]
5September 15New York Islanders1–22OTVasilevskiy3–2[153]
6September 17@ New York Islanders2–1OTVasilevskiy4–2[154]
† Games played at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Stanley Cup Finals vs. Dallas Stars (W3) - Tampa Bay wins series 4–2
GameDateOpponentScoreOTDecisionSeriesRecap
1September 19Dallas Stars1–4Vasilevskiy0–1[155]
2September 21Dallas Stars3–2Vasilevskiy1–1[156]
3September 23@ Dallas Stars5–2Vasilevskiy2–1[157]
4September 25@ Dallas Stars5–4OTVasilevskiy3–1[158]
5September 26Dallas Stars2–32OTVasilevskiy3–2[159]
6September 28@ Dallas Stars2–0Vasilevskiy4–2[160]
† Games played at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Lightning score listed first;

  Win   Loss

Close

Player stats

Final[161]

Skaters

More information Player, GP ...
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Goaltenders

More information Player, GP ...
Regular season[163]
Player GP GS TOI W L OT GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Andrei Vasilevskiy52523122351431332.561605.9173044
Curtis McElhinney18181081873482.89551.9061000
Close
More information Player, GP ...
Playoffs
Player GP GS TOI W L OTα GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Andrei Vasilevskiy252517091870541.90740.9271012
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†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Tampa Bay. Stats reflect time with Tampa Bay only.
‡Traded from Tampa Bay mid-season.
Bold/italics denotes franchise record

Suspensions/fines

More information Player, Explanation ...
Player Explanation Length Salary Date issued
Cedric PaquetteFined for high-sticking Frank Vatrano during the preseason game against the Florida Panthers on September 26, 2019, at the BB&T Center.—$2,500September 27, 2019[164]
Erik CernakSuspended for elbowing Rasmus Dahlin during the regular season game against the Buffalo Sabres on November 25, 2019, at Amalie Arena.2 games$7,500November 26, 2019[165]
Alex KillornSuspended for boarding Brock Nelson during the Eastern Conference final playoff game against the New York Islanders on September 9, 2020, at Rogers Placeb.1 game—September 10, 2020[166]
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Awards and honours

Awards

More information Player, Award ...
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More information Individual, Award ...
Hockey Hall of Fame
Individual Award Year awarded Years with franchise References
Rick Peckham Foster Hewitt Memorial Award 2020 1995–2020 [177]
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Milestones

More information Player, Milestone ...
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Transactions

The Lightning have been involved in the following transactions during the 2019–20 season.

Trades

More information Date, Details ...
DateDetailsRef
June 22, 2019 (2019-06-22) To Vancouver Canucks
J. T. Miller
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Marek Mazanec
3rd-round pick in 2019
Conditional 1st-round pick in 2020
[178]
July 30, 2019 (2019-07-30) To Ottawa Senators
Ryan Callahan
5th-round pick in 2020
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Mike Condon
6th-round pick in 2020
[179]
August 14, 2019 (2019-08-14) To Detroit Red Wings
Adam Erne
To Tampa Bay Lightning
4th-round pick in 2020
[180]
November 2, 2019 (2019-11-02) To New Jersey Devils
Louis Domingue
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Conditional 7th-round pick in 2021
[181]
November 24, 2019 (2019-11-24) To Buffalo Sabres
Matt Spencer
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Devante Stephens
[182]
December 30, 2019 (2019-12-30) To Anaheim Ducks
Chris Mueller
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Patrick Sieloff
[183]
February 16, 2020 (2020-02-16) To New Jersey Devils
Nolan Foote
Conditional 1st-round pick in 2020
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Blake Coleman
[184]
February 20, 2020 (2020-02-20) To Florida Panthers
Danick Martel
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Anthony Greco
[185]
February 24, 2020 (2020-02-24) To San Jose Sharks
Anthony Greco
1st-round pick in 2020
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Barclay Goodrow
3rd-round pick in 2020
[186]
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Free agents

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTeamContract termRef
July 1, 2019 Luke Schenn from Vancouver Canucks 1-year [187]
July 1, 2019 Curtis McElhinney from Carolina Hurricanes 2-year [188]
July 1, 2019 Luke Witkowski from Detroit Red Wings 2-year [189]
July 1, 2019 Scott Wedgewood from Buffalo Sabres 1-year [189]
July 1, 2019 Spencer Martin from Colorado Avalanche 1-year [189]
July 1, 2019 Chris Mueller from Toronto Maple Leafs 1-year [189]
July 1, 2019 Anton Stralman to Florida Panthers 3-year [190]
July 1, 2019 Gabriel Dumont to Minnesota Wild 2-year [191]
July 1, 2019 Andy Andreoff to Philadelphia Flyers 2-year [192]
July 8, 2019 Gemel Smith from Boston Bruins 1-year [193]
August 5, 2019 Kevin Shattenkirk from New York Rangers 1-year [194]
August 24, 2019 Patrick Maroon from St. Louis Blues 1-year [195]
February 23, 2020 Zach Bogosian from Buffalo Sabres 1-year [196]
July 17, 2020 Sean Day from Hartford Wolf Pack 1-year [197]
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Waivers

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerTeamRef
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More information Date, Player ...
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Signings

More information Date, Player ...
DatePlayerContract termRef
June 25, 2019 (2019-06-25)Nolan Foote3-year[198][199]
July 5, 2019 (2019-07-05)Carter Verhaeghe1-year[200]
July 5, 2019 (2019-07-05)Cedric Paquette2-year[201]
July 9, 2019 (2019-07-09)Danick Martel1-year[202]
July 16, 2019 (2019-07-16)Ben Thomas1-year[203]
July 17, 2019 (2019-07-17)Dominik Masin1-year[204]
July 29, 2019 (2019-07-29)Andrei Vasilevskiy8-year[205]
September 23, 2019 (2019-09-23)Brayden Point3-year[206]
April 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)Daniel Walcott1-year[207]
September 9, 2020 (2020-09-09)Alex Green2-year[208]
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Draft picks

Below are the Tampa Bay Lightning's selections at the 2019 NHL entry draft, which was held on June 21 and 22, 2019, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.

More information Round, # ...
Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 27 Nolan Foote LW  United States Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
3 711 Hugo Alnefelt G  Sweden HV71 J20 (J20 SuperElit)
3 89 Maxim Cajkovic RW  Slovakia Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
4 120 Maxwell Crozier D  Canada Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
6 182 Quinn Schmiemann D Canada Canada Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
7 1892 Mikhail Shalagin LW  Russia JHC Spartak (MHL)
7 213 McKade Webster LW  United States Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
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Notes:

  1. The Vancouver Canucks' third-round pick went to the Tampa Bay Lightning as the result of a trade on June 22, 2019, that sent J. T. Miller to Vancouver in exchange for Marek Mazanec, a conditional first-round pick 2020 and this pick.[209]
  2. The Chicago Blackhawks' seventh-round pick went to the Tampa Bay Lightning as the result of a trade on January 11, 2019, that sent Slater Koekkoek and a fifth-round pick in 2019 to Chicago in exchange for Jan Rutta and this pick.[210]

Notes

^αIn the Round-Robin Seeding games the format followed that of the regular season. This meant there was a possibility of the game ending in overtime or a shootout. The regular playoff games followed the traditional format of sudden death overtime.
^bAs the result of COVID-19 the Eastern Conference final games were held in the playoff bubble at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.

References

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