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.

Lightning’s Playoff Fate Hinges on Kucherov Showing Up

Staring at an 0-2 deficit against the Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning are in real danger of getting swept out of the first round for the first time since 2019. If that occurs, one key reason would be the play of top-line winger Nikita Kucherov. For the current Art Ross Trophy winner with 144 […]

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Playoff Preview

It’s the best time of the year. The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs are here. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, this is the seventh consecutive season that they have made the postseason. Last season was their only first-round exit in the current run, as they fell short in six games to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Entering […]

Kucherov Joins Rare Company in Lightning’s Win Over Maple Leafs

In what was otherwise a meaningless game before beginning the playoffs, Nikita Kucherov joined rare company by becoming only the fifth player in NHL history to reach 100 assists in a season during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 6-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. After scoring the second goal of the game and having a […]

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nicholas Paul (20) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with forward Michael Eyssimont (23) and forward Ross Colton (79) during the third period of Game 5 Thursday night in Toronto.

Eyssimont’s Perseverance Rewarded With Masterton Trophy Nomination

Last season, Michael (Mikey) Eyssimont bounced from one National Hockey League (NHL) team to another, trying to find a place he could call home. A one game stint with the Winnipeg Jets two years ago opened the door for him to see more action and playing time in 2022-23. He played 19 games, tallying five […]

Quick Strikes: Second Line Dominates, Vasilevskiy Rounding Into Playoff Form & Late Mental Lapse Ends Point Streak

Fresh off of a West Coast trip that saw them earn seven of a possible eight points and get closer to punching their playoff ticket, the Tampa Bay Lightning came home for three huge games against playoff-bound teams or ones still in the hunt. They earned four of a possible six points, making this home […]

Quick Strikes: Top Line Shines, Stamkos Heating Up & Team Continues Munching Points

Fresh off of three straight wins over top Eastern Conference contenders post Trade Deadline, the Tampa Bay Lightning headed out west to face the defending Stanley Cup champions before going to California. This road trip was expected to be challenging, as they were going coast to coast and crossing a few different time zones. On […]

Quick Strikes: Home Woes Continue Early, Point Heats Up & Trade Deadline Acquisitions Proving Worthy

Fresh off of a decent three-game road trip, collecting four of a possible six points, the Tampa Bay Lightning returned home hoping to bank as many points as possible after their previous home stand yielded little joy for a passionate fan base that had not seen a home ice losing streak of this magnitude in […]

Analyzing the Lightning’s Trade Deadline Moves

Heading into the 2024 Trade Deadline, it was crystal clear that the Tampa Bay Lightning needed a veteran presence on the blue line and scoring outside of their top line. Everyone agreed that if they didn’t get that, the chances of clinching a seventh straight postseason berth would be increasingly difficult. Other than taking on […]

Making a Case For Each Hart Trophy Frontrunner

With the NHL season nearing its conclusion and the Trade Deadline less than a week away, it’s time to look at some players who have a legitimate shot of capturing the Hart Trophy. Given annually to the league’s most valuable player (MVP), these four have stood out above the rest. In this article, I’ll make […]

Who Should the Lightning Target at Trade Deadline?

With February nearing its end, NHL teams are focusing on how to improve their chances of making the playoffs entering the stretch run. The Tampa Bay Lightning are no exception, as they need a left-handed, puck-moving defenseman to replace the injured Mikhail Sergachev. Some notable names that have been linked to the Lightning ahead of […]