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 Late Game Woes Could Prove Costly in Crowded Atlantic Division

One month into the 2023-24’ season and, the Tampa Bay Lightning already have areas that elicit concern among many who follow the team. That includes the coaching staff, players, fans, and the media. The biggest issue seems to be the Lightning’s inability to hold multi-goal leads late in games. Take two recent games against a […]

Quick Strikes: Johansson Shines, Late Game Woes Continue & Stars Come Out in First Road Win

One month is in the books, and the 2023-24’ Tampa Bay Lightning are wildly inconsistent from game to game and period to period. They got two amazing performances from starting goaltender Jonas Johansson, shutting out both the Carolina Hurricanes and San Jose Sharks at Amalie Arena. Halloween Eve provided more tricks than treats for the […]

Quick Strikes: Kucherov Heats Up; Defense Remains a Work in Progress

The 2023-24 regular season is two weeks old, and while there has been a little progress, the results have not come often enough for the Tampa Bay Lightning. They came back late to salvage one point out of the finale of a three-game road trip, all against Atlantic Division foes. Once they got back inside […]

Lightning Complacent Late in OT Loss to Maple Leafs

Coming off a big win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night, the Tampa Bay Lightning had their sights set on getting a little revenge when they hosted their 2023 playoff nemesis, the Toronto Maple Leafs, for the first time this season. Unfortunately, a lack of intensity late undid a sizzling hot start in a […]

Quick Strikes: Reviewing the Lightning’s First Week

The first week of the 2023-24 regular season is over, and while it started out with a bang, the final two games leave much to be desired for the Tampa Bay Lightning. They put on a show in a nationally televised Opening Night matchup with the Nashville Predators at Amalie Arena, leaving with two points. […]

Lightning, Predators Put On a Show to Open 2023-24’ NHL Season

On Tuesday evening, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators kicked off the 2023-24 season in front of a national television audience at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The excitement was palpable, from when the festivities began on Ford Thunder Alley to the final horn sounding. From Lightning players interacting with fans during the blue […]

Tampa Bay Lightning 2023-24’ Season Preview

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Hockey is back in the Bay, and that brings about excitement and even some nerves. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, the 2023-24’ season sees change to the team’s identity after a six game first round series loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs ended their streak of three […]

Merela, Barre-Boulet Making a Case For Lightning’s Final Forward Spot

With the preseason drawing to a close and Opening Night a few days away, the Tampa Bay Lightning have two forwards that stuck out above the rest in their bid to make the final roster. Both Waltteri Merela and Alex Barre-Boulet have worked hard and opened eyes during training camp in hopes of cracking the […]

Preseason: Lightning vs. Hurricanes Standout Players

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes squared off in the first of two meetings this preseason, this one at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. Both teams dressed mainly prospects, though the Lightning iced two forward lines of NHL veterans. The Hurricanes countered by playing their starting netminder at the NHL level, along with […]

Steven Stamkos on the ice for the Tampa Bay Lightning

Stamkos Expresses Disappointment Over Lack of Contract Extension

With training camps getting underway this past week, one of the biggest storylines was Steven Stamkos publicly stating his feelings regarding the Tampa Bay Lightning organization not yet reaching out to begin negotiating a contract extension. Entering the final year of an eight-year deal signed two days before the opening of free agency in 2016, […]