Adam Proteau

AdamProteau@TheHN

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THN Senior Digital Correspondent. Bluesky: @proteautype.bsky.social

Joined at May 31, 2024

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Michael DeRosa·1d·Partner

Lightning's Brayden Point Hits Big Milestone With Amazing Goal

The Tampa Bay Lightning picked up an impressive 8-0 win against the Utah Hockey Club on March 27. With this, they have won each of their last two games, outscoring their opponents 14-1. Lightning superstar Brayden Point played a role in the Lightning's win, as he scored a goal and recorded an assist. With this, he hit a new impressive milestone, as the 29-year-old center scored the 300th goal of his NHL career. It took Point 647 games to reach this big achievement. Point's 300th career goal was an amazing one, too. After Nikita Kucherov hit the post, Point batted the puck out of the air with his backhand to beat Utah goalie Jaxson Stauber. Point has been nothing but excellent for the Lightning throughout his career, and scoring his 300th NHL goal only proves that further. It is incredible to think that the Lightning were able to snag in the third round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Recent Lightning News Lightning Recall Veteran Forward & Send Goalie To AHL Lightning's Anthony Cirelli Delivers Big Time In Milestone Game Lightning's Nikita Kucherov Makes History With Remarkable Stat Lightning Sign Prospect Cooper Flinton To Entry-Level Deal Former Lightning Forward Having Impressive Hot Streak Lightning Assign Cam Atkinson To AHL & Call Up Goaltender Lightning's Brandon Hagel Sets New NHL Record

Diandra Loux·1d·Partner

Lightning shutout Utah 8-0 in statement game

Thursday night was a game full of tributes and milestones as the Lightning welcomed back Mikhail Sergachev as a member of the Utah Hockey Club, and honored Ryan McDonagh as he played in his 1,000th NHL game. It was the fourth time this year that Tampa Bay has scored eight goals in a game. Jake Guentzel and Victor Hedman got the Lightning off to a quick start. Guentzel opened the scoring 1:30 into the first period. McDonagh didn’t have to wait long to earn a point in game 1,000, assisting on Guentzel’s goal. Three minutes later, Hedman made it 2-0. The Lightning continued to build the lead early. Rookie Gage Goncalves made it 3-0 just 5:05 into the second period, and Nikita Kucherov extended the lead to 4-0 with a backhand shot on the rush. "Obviously we scored a lot of goals,” said Hedman. “But giving up one (goal) in two games, that's a recipe for success.. I'm super proud of these guys, the way they've defended through these last two games." After two road loses on Saturday and Sunday to Utah and Vegas, the Lightning were laser focused on cleaning up their game defensively. “That’s what we’ll continue to keep doing, focus on playing good defense,” said Hedman. “We know we're going to get our chances and we're going to score on those.” Jake Guentzel and Oliver Bjorkstrand both scored two goals each and Brayden Point scored as well, to put the Bolts up 7-0. “The effort the guys had, all throughout the lineup, from start to finish, doing little things.. blocking shots, taking hits to make plays, finishing on our chances, said McDonagh. “It was an awesome game from start to finish, a great recipe for us.” "We had the big lead there but kept defending. The guys kept doing the right things in the third period. That's a group that's committed to one another and willing to do what it takes, all the way to the finish, no matter what the score is.” The Lightning shutout Utah 8-0. Andrei Vasilevskiy had 25 saves, earning his sixth shutout of the season and 40th of his career.

Diandra Loux·13h·Partner

Ryan McDonagh back in Tampa Bay, reaches 1,000 NHL games

As Ryan McDonagh’s 1,000th game is celebrated on Saturday at Amalie Arena, the leadership that he provides remains invaluable. At this time last year, McDonagh was playing on a different team, fighting for a playoff spot with the Nashville Predators. This year he’s back in Tampa Bay, a place that holds special meaning for he and his family. “It feels right, it feels like home to me,” McDonagh said of returning to Tampa Bay. “It’s a place we’ve had so many great memories and success. My kids were born here, it's such a special place for us.” “To be able to hit this milestone here, it means a little bit more for sure. This organization has done so much for myself and my family. The city itself and the fan base has been so supportive.” When McDonagh was traded to Nashville in 2022, the fans grappled with the loss of one of their favorite players. The community immediately rallied back around McDonagh upon his return in May 2024. Just 24 hours after his trade back to Tampa was officially announced, a local Davis Island coffee shop printed a banner welcoming he and his family back home. He’s won two Stanley Cups with the Lightning and is one of the most loyal, determined defensemen to wear the Lightning sweater. In the two seasons McDonagh was gone, the Lightning missed his dependability on the blue line. How does it feel knowing your teammates look up to you on and off the ice? McDonagh embraces the role. “I had great veterans before me that carried that same demeanor, where you show up, you know what your role is, and you're expected to perform at it,” said McDonagh. “There’s going to be ups and downs in a season, and you've got to carry yourself the right way. You’ve got to know how to handle those downs more than the ups. Through some hard lessons, we've had a lot of success here.” If you walk through the Lightning dressing room, the players will unanimously tell you that McDonagh brings a sense of calmness to their team. He provides a level of sureness, that no matter what happens during a game, they always have a chance to win. “Our group is really resilient, and I think that's what speaks volumes, is how you come back from being kicked down. I try to carry that model every day,” said McDonagh. “Bring a good attitude, be positive, and try to help the guys next to me play at the highest level possible.” In his 15 year NHL career, McDonagh has a 39 plus-minus rating, which ranks him second-best in the league. His +34 goal differential at even strength leads all NHL defenders after Thursday’s 8-0 win against Utah. Since walking in the door this summer, the goal has always been to get back to championship-level defense, and McDonagh made that evident at Lightning media day back in September. With less than a month left in the regular season, the Lightning currently sit 7th in the NHL in 5 on 5 goals against. To put it into perspective, last season they were 28th. “We feel confident in our offense. We've got a game when it's rolling, but we get ourselves into trouble when we slip defensively,” McDonagh said. “If we can really lock into that, I think everything kind of just feeds off of it.” McDonagh has 1,998 career blocked shots and hasn’t let up throughout the season. Sometimes those sacrifices mean taking unfortunate hits with the puck. He is two blocked shots away from becoming only the eighth player in league history to block more than 2,000 shots. “He's a rare breed of warrior. He’s got skill, he's got brains, and he's (tough as) nails as a guy, and everybody knows it,” said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. “Every teammate knows it...When you're around that long, you've got some good qualities about you. Not only your playing ability, but how you are as a guy. And Mac is, he's top of the list."

Diandra Loux·2d·Partner

Practice Notes: Lightning set to host Utah at Amalie Arena

The Tampa Bay Lightning are closing in on the first place spot in the Atlantic Division, a win tonight against Utah would get them there. Ryan McDonagh is set to skate in his 1,000th NHL game The Lightning were never the same after Ryan McDonagh left. Now he’s back and skating in his 1,000th NHL game. “You reflect on a lot of great teammates, a lot of great teams that you have played for,” said McDonagh. “You play this game for your family. You play this game for teammates that have not gotten the chance to hit these milestones because of injuries or whatnot, and so many great guys. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to get here" Sergachev Returns to Amalie Arena The Lightning will also be welcoming home one of the key members from their back-to-back Stanley Cup Teams, defenseman Mikhail Sergachev. Sergachev's 209 assists and 257 points trail only to Lightning captain Victor Hedman on the all-time list for Lightning defenseman. "He was one of those kids that came to this league, he kind of struggled to defend a little bit, and by the time he left he was a beast," said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. "He’s a joy to be around. I’m hard pressed to find anybody that has one bad word to say about Sergy.” Sergachev, who won two Stanley Cups with Ryan McDonagh is excited to be in attendance for his 1,000th game. “That makes it even more special. I love Mac,” said Sergachev. “I was there for Heddy's 1,000th, now I'm gonna be here for Mac's. Two of my mentors, so I'm excited for that.”