Author: Lauren Burg

Lauren Burg is a Tampa Bay Lightning writer for “Inside the Rink.” A lifelong Tampa Bay Area resident, she graduated from the University of South Florida’s world-renowned journalism program in December 2009. While in college, she discovered hockey and the Tampa Bay Lightning. She quickly became a passionate fan, attending many games over the years. She also experienced an All-Star game in 2018, numerous road games, and, most recently, the Bolts back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. Since graduating college, she’s been working hard to combine her two loves, writing and hockey, hoping to one day make that her full-time career. In her free time, she enjoys attending sporting events (both home & road when possible), taking photos, and traveling.

The Junk Drawer: Tampa Bay Lightning

Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew there would be more questions than answers early on. Many expected the team to struggle when it came to getting off to a quick start, especially given the roster turnover this past offseason. With that in mind, a 3-1 start is encouraging and provides glimpses […]

Tampa Bay Lightning 2024-25 Season Preview

With training camp in the books, the Tampa Bay Lightning have made their final roster cuts and headed to Raleigh, North Carolina for Friday night’s season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes. Speaking of hurricanes, an actual one is hit the West Coast of Florida, so the Lightning, along with any players, families, and pets, left […]

Lightning Entering New Era: News, Notes & Thoughts From Training Camp

After a long offseason full of change, the Tampa Bay Lightning reported to training camp a couple of weeks ago, hoping to go on another deep playoff run after two straight years of first-round exits. While the return was exciting for some, the offseason changes signified a new beginning for this team. Gone were star […]

Steven Stamkos on the ice for the Tampa Bay Lightning

A Final Farewell to Steven Stamkos

Heart. Soul. A leader, both on and off the ice. An icon in the community. Steven Stamkos embodied all that it meant to be a Bolt. In 2008, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Stamkos first overall. Since then, he’s been one of the best players to don a Bolts jersey. He played over 1,000 games […]

Lightning Making a Big Mistake by Letting Stamkos Walk

For months, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien Brisebois has said that re-signing captain Steven Stamkos is a priority for the team. He even made moves at the NHL draft to free up salary cap space, leading many to believe an extension was on the horizon. Then came a shocking turn of events. Brisebois told […]

Tampa Bay Lightning Season in Review

It’s been nearly two weeks since the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2023-2024 season ended with a first-round playoff loss to their in-state rivals, the Florida Panthers. While that wasn’t a surprise to many, the fact they nearly got swept was an eye-opener to those who follow this team regularly. It is a dramatic fall for a […]

Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Acquire Ryan McDonagh from Predators for Draft Picks

Look who’s back, back again. Mac is back, tell a friend! In the first major trade of the offseason, the Tampa Bay Lightning has acquired former defenseman Ryan McDonagh and a 2024 fourth-round draft pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2024 seventh-rounder and 2025 second-round pick. Originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, […]

Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Sign Mitchell Chaffee

With the Tampa Bay Lightning’s season over, general manager Julien Brisebois is focusing on re-signing as many free agents as he can before the start of free agency. It was announced on May 16 that the Lightning have re-signed forward Mitchell Chaffee to a two-year contract worth $800,000 AAV. The deal is one-way, meaning that […]

NHL Playoffs: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Game 4 Recap | 04/27/2024

With their backs against the wall, the Tampa Bay Lightning showed up in a big way by letting the Florida Panthers know they weren’t going down without a fight. Armed with an emotional boost, as defenseman Mikhail Sergachev returned to the lineup for the first time since suffering a fractured tibia and fibula on February […]

NHL Playoffs: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Game 3 Recap | 04/25/2024

Heading home with an 0-2 deficit, the Tampa Bay Lightning knew they had to win to make this a series. Unfortunately, another close loss puts a season that at times looked promising on life support. While this team lacks experience defensively and stumbled through much of the regular season, a March to remember showed they […]