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Raw Charge

The static cling that brings Tampa Bay Lightning fans together.

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Lightning sign J.J. Moser to 8-year extension

It’s been more than a year since Julien BriseBois handed out a long-term contract. Not since Jake Guentzel’s free-agent deal in the summer of 2024 has the Lightning general manager handed out a maximum-length deal, and with his time frame for extending his own players for eight years narrowing due to the new CBA, we knew he had to sign at least one more big deal. So he had to be getting a little antsy. Enter J.J. Moser. On Saturday, the team announced that the 25-year-old defenseman had agreed...

Back into the mix: Lightning at Panthers Preview

Game Thirty-Seven: Tampa Bay Lightning (20-13-3) at Florida Panthers (20-14-2) Time: 7:00 PM EST Location: Amerant Arena, The Other End of Alligator Ally TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App Odds: Lightning -110 Know the Opponents: Litter Box Cats The Tampa Bay Lightning have to shake off the holiday break hangover pretty quickly as they kick-start their schedule again with a Saturday Evening Main Event against the Florida Panthers. Based on t...

Three prospects to watch at the 2026 IIHF Mens’ Under-20 World Junior Championships

It’s that time of year once again. While Christmas trees and wads of crumbled wrapping paper are being dragged to the curb, the best prospects under the age of 20 are gathered to play in one of the top international tournaments in hockey. It’s World Juniors time. Officially known as the IIHF Mens’ Under-20 World Junior Championship, the tournament begins today with ten international teams gathering in Minnesota to compete over the next two weeks for international glory. In Group A, the be...

NHL

Happy Christmas to all

We’re a little late with this (what else is new) but wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Hopefully, it’s been a joyful season for everyone. Thank you to everyone that has stopped by and read a few words.

2025 Tampa Bay Lightning Top 25 Under 25: #5 Sam O’Reilly

The newest prospect on the list is having another strong season in the Ontario Hockey League. Once he’s done in London, Sam O’Reilly could be heading to Syracuse this spring. Name Sam O’Reilly Position Center Age (as of October 1) 19 Height/Weight 6’1″, 183 lbs. Expected 2024-25 Team London Knights Draft – Year, Round 1st Round (32nd) by Edmonton Previous Rankings NA JustinG. Ranking 3 Final Rank 5 Stats: Our Thoughts: Of all of the prospects that are in the ...

Three-point night for Raddysh leads Lightning to 4-1 win over Blues

After a slightly chaotic win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Lightning made it two wins in a row with a business-like, 4-1, victory over the St. Louis Blues. Darren Raddysh led the way with a goal and two assists while Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 23-of-24 shots in the win. Their power play, which was 2-for-30 on home ice heading into the game, cashed in twice. The St. Louis Blues aren’t having the best of seasons, and a lack of scoring has been a big reason behind t...

Why not make it two in a row?: Blues at Lightning preview

Game Thirty-Six: St. Louis Blues (14-15-8) at Tampa Bay Lightning (19-13-3) Time: 7:00 PM EST Location: Benchmark International Arena, The arena where Jake Paul DIDN’T get his jaw broken TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, FDSNMW, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App Odds: Lightning Know the Opponents: Bleedin’ Blue Look, there are plenty of games where it’s easy to get excited for the match-up. Any game against Florida – yup, going to be up for that one. Same with Boston and To...

Lightning pull off improbable comeback with 6-4 win over the Hurricanes

There are a lot of things you can say about this season’s Tampa Bay Lightning. Some of those things might even be of the negative variety. One thing that you can’t say is that this team doesn’t put out the effort. There have been some games over the past few seasons where the work ethic of the Lightning could be questioned. This season, there does seem to be a bit more of a desperation in their game overall. On Saturday night, despite being down three goals, they didn’t stop playing and clawed...

Keep Grinding Away: Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning Preview

Game Thirty-Five: Carolina Hurricanes ( 0 ) at Tampa Bay Lightning (18-13-3) Time: 7:00 PM EST Location: Benchmark International Arena, (Is this building now cursed?) TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, FDSNSO, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App Odds: Lightning -120 Know the Opponents: Canes Country Under less than ideal circumstances, the Tampa Bay Lightning are hosting one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference as the Carolina Hurricanes roll into town following their 4-...

Lightning offense sputters at home against Kings in 2-1 loss

The cracks were bound to appear at some point. When a team is ravaged by injuries to the extent that the Tampa Bay Lightning have been, the magic wears off eventually. It’s usually nothing drastic, but small little fissures that appear and keep a team from winning. From an overall perspective, the Lightning played fairly well in their 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night, but one moment, one little error in judgement, led to the game-deciding goal. The Bolts had the lead ea...

“In my home!” Los Angeles Kings at Tampa Bay Lightning preview

Game Thirty-Four: Los Angeles Kings (14-10-9) at Tampa Bay Lightning (18-12-3) Time: 7:00 PM EST Location: Benchmark International Arena, Future site of new entertainment district TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, FDSNW, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App Odds: Lightning -192 Know the Opponents: Rink Royalty For a younger generation, Al Pacino is the “ Hoo-ah !” guy who has a tendency to switch between shouting and whispering his lines. For some, he’s become a caricature. Ho...

Lightning roster moves could indicate that Vasilevskiy is ready to return

Technically, a week before Christmas is still “before Christmas”. That’s the timeline head coach Jon Cooper gave reporters prior to the Lightning’s 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers when he was asked about the health of Andrei Vasilevskiy. On Tuesday, the Lightning made a couple of moves that would indicate that their all-world goaltender is ready to return to action. The team announced that Scott Sabourin and Brandon Halverson had been assigned to Syracuse . There does remain the chance t...

Lightning fail to overcome early stumble in 5-2 loss to Panthers

It’s hard to call a play that happens roughly five minutes into the game a turning point, but when the Florida Panthers scored their second goal of the game mere seconds after Yanni Gourde glanced a shot at an open net off of the crossbar, the feeling that it was going to be one of those nights was there. The two early goals, and some key goaltending by Sergei Bobrovsky, forced the Lightning to chase a deficit they could never overcome as they dropped the game 5-2 to the Florida Panthers. ...

The Lightning’s patched together blueline will be tested: Panthers at Lightning Preview

Game Thirty-Three: Florida Panthers (16-13-2) at Tampa Bay Lightning (18-11-3) Time: 7:00 PM Location: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, SCRIPPS, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App Odds: Lightning -142 Know the Opponents: Litter Box Cats Lingering. Always lingering are these Florida Panthers. After muddling through the first part of the season it appears that the Lightning’s in-state rivals are starting to heat up a bit. Winners of four o...

Lightning rally back to tie, but fall in shootout to Islanders, 3-2

Well, at least the Tampa Bay Lightning finally scored more than one goal against Ilya Sorokin. After giving up two early goals, the Bolts battled back with goals from Darren Raddysh (on the power play) and J.J. Moser to tie the New York Islanders. Overtime solved nothing, and Sorokin stopped two of the Lightning’s three shootout attempts while Mathew Barzal and Emil Heineman were able to slip pucks past Jonas Johansson to earn the extra points in a 3-2 victory. With the win the Islanders ...

Another game, another new line-up: Lightning at Islanders Preview

Game Thirty-two: Tampa Bay Lightning (18-11-2) at New York Islanders (18-11-3) Time: 3:30 PM EST Location: UBS Arena, Elmont TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, MSGSN, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App Odds: Lightning -130 Know the Opponents: Lighthouse Hockey Wait, it’s a 3:30 game? Hmm. Didn’t realize that. Oh well, here’s to a little matinee action to break up your holiday festivities (we’re currently writing this on our balcony while Christmas music is blaring about two b...

Victor Hedman to have surgery, out till February

If nothing else, at least now the Tampa Bay Lightning have some clarity as to their captain, Victor Hedman. On Friday, the team announced that the soon-to-be 35-year-old defenseman would undergo elbow surgery on Monday in order to repair an injury that has kept him sidelined for a long stretch of time starting in early November. For The Big Swede, the timeline places him back in competitive action in early February (possibly in time for the Stadium Series game against Boston), but more li...

Lightning offense continues to roll in 8-4 win over New Jersey

While we don’t want to take full credit for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s offensive turnaround, we do feel it is worth noting that since we posted this: Lightning drop their fourth in a row. [image or embed] — Raw Charge ( @rawcharge.com ) December 8, 2025 at 10:25 PM …the Lightning have scored 14 goals in two games. Tonight’s victim was the New Jersey Devils. Tampa Bay rolled out to a 4-1 lead in the first period, made it through the second period with a 6-2 edge, and then finishe...

Lightning reveal Stadium Series jersey….yeah

For the second time in their existence, the Tampa Bay Lightning are taking the game outside as they are set to play the Boston Bruins under the lights of Raymond James Stadium on February 1, 2026. Today, they revealed what they’ll be wearing. Just in time for the holidays! View this post on Instagram Look, y’all know us. We’re the sunshine and rainbows section of the Lightning world. We don’t like to dwell in negativity, but something about this design is just…off. Fash...

Stay out of the box: Lightning at Devils preview

Game Thirty-One: Tampa Bay Lightning (17-11-2) at New Jersey Devils (17-12-1) Time: 7:00 PM EST Location: Prudential Center, Brick City, New Jersey TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, MSG, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App Odds: Lightning -130 Know the Opponents: All About the Jersey Two teams, both alike in dignity, in fair Newark, where we lay our scene…… There are a ton of similarities outside of just their record between the Lightning and the Devils heading into thei...

The One Where the Lightning’s Offense Returns: Lightning Canadiens Recap

It was only a matter of time until the Tampa Bay Lightning found their scoring touch. After two consecutive shutouts, the moment came early as Brayden Point beat Jakob Dobes on a breakaway just 2:27 into their game against the Montreal Canadiens. The Lightning would add two more goals in the period, and three more the rest of the way to pick up the 6-1 victory, snapping their four-game losing streak. Joining Point in the scoring column was Pontus Holmberg, Nikita Kucherov, Charle-Edouard ...

Keep it Simple: Lightning at Canadiens Preview

Game Thirty: Tampa Bay Lightning (16-11-2) at Montreal Canadiens (15-10-3) Time: 7:00 PM Location: Centre Bell, The Paris of North America TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App Odds: Lightning +105 Know the Opponents: Habs Eyes on the Prize Look, there is no reason to get too crazy with a preview today. Simply put, the Lightning have to do what they haven’t been able to do since the NHL took their goal away against Pittsburgh – score...

Lightning swap young defensemen in trade with Flyers

The Tampa Bay Lightning made their first trade of the year, and while it might be considered a minor one, they bring some potential offense on the blue line into the system. Prior to their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team announced that they had acquired defender Ethan Samson from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Roman Schmidt. The trade brings Schmidt’s tenure with the organization to a close. A rugged defender with size, the 22-year-old showed some potential over th...

Lightning shutout for second game in a row, fall to Maple Leafs, 2-0

The Tampa Bay Lightning did many, many things well in their 2-0 loss to the Toronto Maples Leafs. They did the things that usually lead to wins. The only thing they didn’t do was score a goal. For the second straight game, Jonas Johansson did his job as he allowed just one goal, and for the second straight game he wasn’t rewarded for his efforts. Despite a valiant charge in the third period, the Lightning couldn’t equalize, and a late empty-net goal sealed their fate. It was a solid start...

Big time back-to-back: Lightning at Maple Leafs Preview

Game Twenty Nine: Tampa Bay Lightning (16-10-2) at Toronto Maple Leafs (13-11-4) Time: 7:30 PM EST Location: Scotiabank Arena, The Big Smoke TV/Stream/Radio: Scripps, NHL Network, Amazone Prime (in Canada), TVAS, 102.5 FM, Lightning App Odds: Lightning -120 Know the Opponents: Pension Plan Puppets When the schedule wizards threw together their matrix, they probably thought that this would make for a pretty nice match-up. Little did they know that it would be a bat...