2023–24 Tampa Bay Lightning season

The 2023–24 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 32nd season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991.
On April 5, 2024, the Lightning clinched a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season after losses by the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals. They were eliminated in the first round by the Florida Panthers in five games.
==Off-season==
===April===
The Lightning's off-season began after losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in six games.
===May===
On May 1, 2023, the Lightning signed forward prospect Maxim Groshev to a three-year entry-level contract. Groshev was originally selected by the Lightning in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Groshev appeared in 34 games this past season with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, recording four goals and six points. Groshev also played in the VHL with SKA-Neva St. Petersburg.
On May 2, 2023, Brayden Point was announced as a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy. Point recorded career in both goals (51) a points (95) this past season while averaging slightly under 20 minutes a night. During the season point only recorded 7 total penalty minutes.
On May 5, 2023, the Lightning re-signed Michael Eyssimont to a two-year contract extension that careers an annual cap hit of 800k. The team acquired him this past season in a trade with the San Jose Sharks. In the playoffs Eyssimont recorded two points in the series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
May 10, 2023, the Lightning signed free agent goaltender Matt Tomkins to a two-year contract. Notably Thomkins played in 3 games for Team Canada in the 2022 Olympics. Thomkins had spent the past two seasons playing for Farjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League.
===June===
On June 5, 2023, the Lightning signed free agent forward Waltteri Merela to a one-year contract. Merela had spent the past two seasons with Tappara in the Finnish Elite League. During that time Merela helped Tappara win back to back championships. 
That same day the Lightning also signed free agent defenseman Emil Lilleberg to a two-year contract. Lilleberg spent the last season playing for IK Oskarshamn of the Swedish Hockey League. Lilleberg also represented Norway in the last three World Championships.
On June 14, 2023, the Lightning re-signed forward Cole Koepke to a one-year contract extension. Koepke appeared in 17 games with the team and recorded one goal over that period of time. Koepke also played 52 games with the Syracuse Crunch. He recorded 7 goals and 19 points during his assignment with the Crunch. 
On June 21, 2023, the Lightning re-signed forward Gabriel Fortier to a one year contract extension. Fortier appear in one game with the Lightning last season which brought his career total to 11 NHL games. Fortier also appeared in 67 games with the Crunch last season, recording 11 goals and 29 points. 
On June 26, 2023, the Lightning announced a change to the coaching staff of their AHL affiliate the Syracuse Crunch. Benoit Groulx was stepping down as head coach of the Crunch and taking another position within the organization. The Lightning also relieved assistant coaches Gilles Bouchard and Eric Veilleux of their duties. Groulx finishes his stint with the Crunch with a franchise record 256 wins, two division championships, and one conference championship. 
The Lightning announced Joel Bouchard as Groulx's replacement in the same press release. Bouchard has previously been a head coach AHL (242 games) between the San Diego Gulls and the Laval Rocket. Bouchard is also a veteran of 364 NHL games and 293 AHL games over his playing career. The Lightning also announced that Daniel Jacob would be joining Bouchard's staff as an assistant coach.
On June 26, 2023, Steven Stamkos was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Mark Messier Leadership Award. The award is given annually to a player "who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey."
On June 28, 2023, the Lightning traded forward Ross Colton to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2nd-round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Colton was originally acquired by the Lightning in the 4th round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Colton appeared in 190 games with the Lightning, recording 47 goals and 36 assists. Colton's biggest moment with the team came when he scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens. 
===July===
On July 1, 2023, the Lightning were involved in the following player signings during the first day of NHL free agency. 
The Lightning signed Conor Sheary to a three-year contract valued at $6 million. This past season Shear appeared in 82 games with the Washington Capitals, recording 15 goals and 37 points. Sheary has appeared in 531 NHL games between stints with the Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. 
The Lightning signed Josh Archibald to a two-year contract with an annual cap hit for $800,000. Last season Archibald appeared in 62 games, recording six goals and six assists. Archibald is also a veteran of 305 career NHL games, recording 45 goals and 38 assists. 
The Lightning signed Luke Glendening to a two-year contract worth $1.6 million. Glendening was a member of the Dallas Stars the prior two seasons. Glendening has appeared in 148 career games between the Stars and the Detroit Red Wings, recording 69 goals and 79 assists. 
The Lightning signed Jonas Johansson to a two-year contract with a $775,000 annual cap hit. This past season Johansson appeared in three games with the Colorado Avalanche, recording 2 wins and a .932 save percentage. 
The Lightning signed Logan Brown to a one-year contract valued at $775,000. Brown was a member of the St. Louis Blues the past two season. This past season Brown skated in 69 games, recording six goals and 17 points. Brown was previously a first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators. Brown enters the season one game shy of reaching 100 career NHL games. 
The Lightning signed Mitchell Chaffee to a one-year contract that carries a cap hit of $775,000. Chaffee has appeared in two NHL games, all which came with the Minnesota Wild.
On July 2, 2023, the Lightning signed Calvin de Haan to a one year contract, which carries a $775,000 cap hit. De Haan appeared in 53 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, recording 2 goals and 10 assists. De Haan has 131 career points in his NHL career between the New York Islanders, Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks.
On July 15, 2023, the Lightning signed Tanner Jeannot to a two-year contract extension which carries an annual cap hit of $2.66 million. Jeannot was acquired by the Lightning in a trade with the Nashville Predators the previous season.
===August===
On August 22, 2023, the Lightning announced the signing of Brandon Hagel to an eight-year contract extension with an AAV of $6.5 million. Hagel posted 30 goals, 34 assists and 64 points in his first full season with the team, all of which were career highs for Hagel. 
On August 23, 2023, the Lightning announced the signing of Darren Raddysh to a two-year contract extension valued at $1.95 million. Raddysh recorded a goal and three assists in 17 appearances with the Lighting this past season. Raddysh also skated in 51 games with the Crunch last season.
===September===
September 9, 2023, the Lightning announced that it had placed Josh Archibald on waivers for the purposes of termination of his contract. While the exact reason is unknown, Archibald indicated that he did not intend on attending training camp or play this season.
 
On the same day, the Lightning announced that it had signed Tyler Motte to a one-year contract valued at $800,000. Motte skated in 62 games last season, recording 8 goals and 11 assists for 19 points. 
==Training camp==
On September 19, 2023, the Lightning announced its training camp roster. 
Forwards
Tristan Allard, Alex Barre-Boulet, Logan Brown, Joe Carroll, Mitchell Chaffee, Anthony Cirelli, Gabriel Dumont, Jaydon Dureau, Lucas Edmonds, Shawn Element, Mikey Eyssimont, Jack Finley, Gabriel Fortier, Ethan Gauthier, Luke Glendening, Gage Goncalves, Maxim Groshev, Brandon Hagel, Ethan Hay, Tanner Jeannot, Cole Koepke, Nikita Kucherov, Bennett MacArthur, Waltteri Merela, Tyler Motte, Nick Paul, Brayden Point, Felix Robert, Conor Sheary, Steven Stamkos Gabriel Szturc, Ilya Usau, Daniel Walcott, Daniel Walker and Austin Watson.
Defensemen
Zach Bogosian, Declan Carlile, Erik Cernak, Maxwell Crozier, Sean Day, Calvin de Haan, Haydn Fleury, Dyllan Gill, Victor Hedman, Louka Henault, Emil Lilleberg, Philippe Myers, Nick Perbix, Darren Raddysh, Roman Schmidt, Mikhail Sergachev, Devante Stephens, Jack Thompson and Scott Walford. 
Goaltenders
Hugo Alnefelt, Evan Fitzpatrick, Ben Gaudreau, Jonas Johansson, Matt Tomkins and Andrei Vasilevskiy
On September 27, 2023, the Lightning announced that it had reduced it training camp roster by four players. Ethan Gauthier, Ethan Hay and Dyllan Gill were release from camp to join their junior teams. Scott Walford was released from his tryout agreement. The cuts reduce the camp roster to 56 players.
On September 28, 2023, the Lightning announced that Andrei Vasilevskiy underwent a microdiscectomy to repair a lumbar disc herniation. Vasilevskiy is expected to miss the first two months of the season due to the surgery. The team stated that it will continue with Jonas Johansson and Matt Tomkins while Vasilevskiy recovers.
On September 30, 2023, the Lightning announced that it had reduced its training camp roster by 30 players. The following players where either assigned to Syracuse or their respective junior clubs: Tristan Allard, Hugo Alnefelt, Logan Brown, Declan Carlile, Joe Carroll, Mitchell Chaffee, Maxwell Crozier, Sean Day, Gabriel Dumont, Lucas Edmonds, Shawn Element, Jack Finley, Evan Fitzpatrick, Ben Gaudreau, Gage Goncalves, Maxim Groshev, Louka Henault, Cole Koepke, Emil Lilleberg, Bennett MacArthur, Philippe Myers, Felix Robert, Roman Schmidt, Devante Stephens, Gabriel Szturc, Jack Thompson, Ilya Usau, Daniel Walcott and Daniel Walker.
On October 8, 2023, the Lightning placed Zach Bogosian and Gabriel Fortier on waivers. Both players cleared the following day and are eligible to be assigned to the Syracuse Crunch.
On October 9, 2023, the Lightning announced that it had signed Austin Watson to a one-year deal. Watson was previously on a PTO agreement prior to signing. The contract will carry a cap hit of $776,655. 
That same day the Lightning finalized its roster for opening night. The below forwards, defensemen and goalies were named to the finalized roster. 
Forwards
Alex Barre-Boulet, Anthony Cirelli, Mikey Eyssimont, Luke Glendening, Brandon Hagel, Tanner Jeannot, Nikita Kucherov, Waltteri Merela, Tyler Motte, Nick Paul, Brayden Point, Conor Sheary, Steven Stamkos and Austin Watson
Defensemen
Erik Cernak, Calvin de Haan, Haydn Fleury, Victor Hedman, Nick Perbix, Darren Raddysh and Mikhail Sergachev
Goaltenders
Jonas Johansson, Matt Tomkins and Andrei Vasilevskiy (IR)
== Standings ==
=== Divisional standings ===
=== Conference standings ===
== Schedule and results ==
=== Preseason ===
|- style="background:#ffcccc;"
| 1 || September 26 || @ Carolina Hurricanes || 2–5 || || Alnefelt || PNC Arena || 12,430 || 0–1–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
| 2 || September 27 || @ Nashville Predators || 2–1 || OT || Tomkins || Bridgestone Arena || 17,159 || 1–1–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
| 3 || September 29 || Carolina Hurricanes || 4–0 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 13,635 || 2–1–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
| 4 || September 30 || Nashville Predators || 5–4 || || Tomkins || Amalie Arena || 14,197 || 3–1–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
| 5 || October 3 || vs. Florida Panthers || 2–0 || || Johansson || Amway Center || 16,802 || 4–1–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="ffcccc"
| 6 || October 5 || Florida Panthers || 3–6 || || Tomkins || Amalie Arena || 12,294 || 4–2–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="ccffcc"
| 7 || October 7 || @ Florida Panthers || 4–2 || || Johansson || Amerant Bank Arena || 13,780 || 5–2–0 || 
|-
|-
| Lightning score listed first;
=== Regular season ===
|- style="background:#ccffcc;"
| 1 || October 10 || Nashville Predators || 5–3 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 1–0–0 || 2 || 
|- style="background:#ffcccc;"
| 2 || October 14 || @ Detroit Red Wings || 4–6 || || Johansson || Little Caesars Arena || 19,515 || 1–1–0 || 2 || 
|- style="background:#ffcccc;"
| 3 || October 15 || @ Ottawa Senators || 2–5 || || Tomkins || Canadian Tire Centre || 15,584 || 1–2–0 || 2 || 
|- style="background:#B0C4DE;"
| 4 || October 17 || @ Buffalo Sabres || 2–3 || OT || Johansson || KeyBank Center || 12,598 || 1–2–1 || 3 || 
|- style="background:#ccffcc;"
| 5 || October 19 || Vancouver Canucks || 4–3 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 2–2–1 || 5 ||
|- style="background:#B0C4DE;"
| 6 || October 21 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 3–4 || OT || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 2–2–2 || 6 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 7 || October 24 || Carolina Hurricanes || 3–0 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 3–2–2 || 8 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 8 || October 26 || San Jose Sharks || 6–0 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 4–2–2 || 10 || 
|- style="background:#B0C4DE;"
| 9 || October 30 || Seattle Kraken || 3–4 || OT || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 4–2–3 || 11 || 
|-
|-
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 10 || November 2 || @ Columbus Blue Jackets || 2–4 || || Tomkins || Nationwide Arena || 14,276 || 4–3–3 || 11 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 11 || November 4 || @ Ottawa Senators || 6–4 || || Johansson || Canadian Tire Centre || 17,387 || 5–3–3 || 13 || 
|- style="background:#B0C4DE;"
| 12 || November 6 || @ Toronto Maple Leafs || 5–6 || OT || Johansson || Scotiabank Arena || 18,445 || 5–3–4 || 14 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 13 || November 7 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 5–3 || || Tomkins || Bell Centre || 21,105 || 6–3–4 || 16 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 14 || November 9 || Chicago Blackhawks || 3–5 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 6–4–4 || 16 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 15 || November 11 || Carolina Hurricanes || 0–4 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 6–5–4 || 16 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 16 || November 14 || @ St. Louis Blues || 0–5 || || Johansson || Enterprise Center || 17,621 || 6–6–4 || 16 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 17 || November 16 || @ Chicago Blackhawks || 4–2 || || Johansson || United Center || 18,691 || 7–6–4 || 18 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 18 || November 18 || Edmonton Oilers || 6–4 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 8–6–4 || 20 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 19 || November 20 || Boston Bruins || 5–4 || OT || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 9–6–4 || 22 || 
|- style="background:#B0C4DE;"
| 20 || November 22 || Winnipeg Jets || 2–3 || OT || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 9–6–5 || 23 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 21 || November 24 || @ Carolina Hurricanes || 8–2 || || Vasilevskiy || PNC Arena || 18,802 || 10–6–5 || 25 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 22 || November 27 || @ Colorado Avalanche || 1–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Ball Arena || 18,009 || 10–7–5 || 25 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 23 || November 28 || @ Arizona Coyotes || 1–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Mullett Arena || 4,600 || 10–8–5 || 25 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 24 || November 30 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 10–9–5 || 25 || 
|-
|-
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 25 || December 2 || @ Dallas Stars || 1–8 || || Vasilevskiy || American Airlines Center || 18,532 || 10–10–5 || 25 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 26 || December 4 || Dallas Stars || 4–0 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 11–10–5 || 27 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 27 || December 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 12–10–5 || 29 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 28 || December 7 || @ Nashville Predators || 1–5 || || Johansson || Bridgestone Arena || 17,159 || 12–11–5 || 29 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 29 || December 9 || @ Seattle Kraken || 4–3 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Climate Pledge Arena || 17,151 || 13–11–5 || 31 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 30 || December 12 || @ Vancouver Canucks || 1–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Rogers Arena || 18,771 || 13–12–5 || 31 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 31 || December 14 || @ Edmonton Oilers || 7–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Rogers Place || 18,060 || 14–12–5 || 33 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 32 || December 16 || @ Calgary Flames || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Scotiabank Saddledome || 16,081 || 14–13–5 || 33 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 33 || December 19 || St. Louis Blues || 6–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 15–13–5 || 35 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 34 || December 21 || Vegas Golden Knights || 5–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 16–13–5 || 37 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 35 || December 23 || @ Washington Capitals || 2–1 || SO || Vasilevskiy || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 17–13–5 || 39 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 36 || December 27 || Florida Panthers || 2–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 17–14–5 || 39 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 37 || December 30 || New York Rangers || 1–5 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 17–15–5 || 39 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 38 || December 31 || Montreal Canadiens || 4–3 || || Johansson || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 18–15–5 || 41 || 
|-
|-
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 39 || January 2 || @ Winnipeg Jets || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Canada Life Centre || 14,157 || 18–16–5 || 41 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 40 || January 4 || @ Minnesota Wild || 4–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Xcel Energy Center || 18,689 || 19–16–5 || 43 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 41 || January 6 || @ Boston Bruins || 3–7 || || Vasilevskiy || TD Garden || 17,850 || 19–17–5 || 43 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 42 || January 9 || Los Angeles Kings || 3–2 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 20–17–5 || 45 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 43 || January 11 || New Jersey Devils || 4–3 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 21–17–5 || 47 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 44 || January 13 || Anaheim Ducks || 5–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 22–17–5 || 49 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 45 || January 18 || Minnesota Wild || 7–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 23–17–5 || 51 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 46 || January 20 || @ Buffalo Sabres || 3–1 || || Johansson || KeyBank Center || 18,246 || 24–17–5 || 53 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 47 || January 21 || @ Detroit Red Wings || 1–2 || || Vasilevskiy || Little Caesars Arena || 19,515 || 24–18–5 || 53 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 48 || January 23 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Wells Fargo Center || 17,937 || 25–18–5 || 55 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 49 || January 25 || Arizona Coyotes || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 26–18–5 || 57 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 50 || January 27 || New Jersey Devils || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 27–18–5 || 59 || 
|-
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"
| colspan="11"|All-Star Break (February 1–4)
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 51 || February 7 || @ New York Rangers || 1–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Madison Square Garden || 17,208 || 27–19–5 || 59 || 
|-
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 52 || February 8 || @ New York Islanders || 2–6 || || Johansson || UBS Arena || 17,255 || 27–20–5 || 59 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 53 || February 10 || @ Columbus Blue Jackets || 4–2 || || Vasilevskiy || Nationwide Arena || 18,876 || 28–20–5 || 61 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 54 || February 13 || @ Boston Bruins || 3–2 || SO || Vasilevskiy || TD Garden || 17,850 || 29–20–5 || 63 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 55 || February 15 || Colorado Avalanche || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 30–20–5 || 65 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 56 || February 17 || Florida Panthers || 2–9 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 30–21–5 || 65 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 57 || February 19 || Ottawa Senators || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 30–22–5 || 65 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 58 || February 22 || Washington Capitals || 3–5 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 30–23–5 || 65 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 59 || February 24 || @ New York Islanders || 4–2 || || Vasilevskiy || UBS Arena || 17,255 || 31–23–5 || 67 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 60 || February 25 || @ New Jersey Devils || 4–1 || || Johansson || Prudential Center || 16,514 || 32–23–5 || 69 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 61 || February 27 || @ Philadelphia Flyers || 2–6 || || Vasilevskiy || Wells Fargo Center || 18,647 || 32–24–5 || 69 || 
|- style="background:#B0C4DE;"
| 62 || February 29 || Buffalo Sabres || 2–3 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 32–24–6 || 70 || 
|-
|-
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 63 || March 2 || Montreal Canadiens || 4–3 || SO || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 33–24–6 || 72 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 64 || March 7 || Calgary Flames || 3–6 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 33–25–6 || 72 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 65 || March 9 || Philadelphia Flyers || 7–0 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 34–25–6 || 74 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 66 || March 14 || New York Rangers || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 35–25–6 || 76 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 67 || March 16 || @ Florida Panthers || 5–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amerant Bank Arena || 19,396 || 36–25–6 || 78 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 68 || March 19 || @ Vegas Golden Knights || 5–3 || || Vasilevskiy || T-Mobile Arena || 17,789 || 37–25–6 || 80 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 69 || March 21 || @ San Jose Sharks || 4–1 || || Vasilevskiy || SAP Center || 10,315 || 38–25–6 || 82 || 
|- style="background:#B0C4DE;"
| 70 || March 23 || @ Los Angeles Kings || 3–4 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Crypto.com Arena || 18,318 || 38–25–7 || 83 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 71 || March 24 || @ Anaheim Ducks || 3–2 || OT || Johansson || Honda Center || 16,152 || 39–25–7 || 85 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 72 || March 27 || Boston Bruins || 3–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 40–25–7 || 87 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 73 || March 30 || New York Islanders || 4–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 41–25–7 || 89 || 
|- 
|-
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 74 || April 1 || Detroit Red Wings || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 41–26–7 || 89 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 75 || April 3 || @ Toronto Maple Leafs || 4–1 || || Vasilevskiy || Scotiabank Arena || 18,648 || 42–26–7 || 91 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 76 || April 4 || @ Montreal Canadiens || 7–4 || || Tomkins || Bell Centre || 21,105 || 43–26–7 || 93 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 77 || April 6 || @ Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 || || Vasilevskiy || PPG Paints Arena || 18,383 || 43–27–7 || 93 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 78 || April 9 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 5–2 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 44–27–7 || 95 || 
|- style="background:#bce;"
| 79 || April 11 || Ottawa Senators || 2–3 || SO || Tomkins || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 44–27–8 || 96 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 80 || April 13 || @ Washington Capitals || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Capital One Arena || 18,573 || 44–28–8 || 96 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 81 || April 15 || Buffalo Sabres || 2–4 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 44–29–8 || 96 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 82 || April 17 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 6–4 || || Tomkins || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 45–29–8 || 98 || 
|-
|-
| Lightning score listed first;
===Playoffs===
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 1 || April 21 || @ Florida Panthers || 2–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amerant Bank Arena || 19,356 || 0–1 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 2 || April 23 || @ Florida Panthers || 2–3 || OT || Vasilevskiy || Amerant Bank Arena || 19,484 || 0–2 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 3 || April 25 || Florida Panthers || 3–5 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 0–3 || 
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| 4 || April 27 || Florida Panthers || 6–3 || || Vasilevskiy || Amalie Arena || 19,092 || 1–3 || 
|- style="background:#fcc;"
| 5 || April 29 || @ Florida Panthers || 1–6 || || Vasilevskiy || Amerant Bank Arena || 19,750 || 1–4 || 
|-
|-
| Lightning score listed first;
==Player stats==
Final
===Skaters===
Regular season 
Player	 	 	 	 	 	
 	81	44	100	144	8 	22
 	81	46	44 	90 	−16	14
 	79	40	41 	81 	−21	34
 	78	13	63 	76 	18 	76
 	82	26	49 	75 	1 	79
 	82	24	22 	46 	−16	27
 	80	20	25 	45 	2 	38
 	82	6 	27 	33 	−3 	21
 	81	11	14 	25 	7 	104
 	77	2 	22 	24 	8 	10
 	34	2 	17 	19 	−16	16
† 	17	8 	7 	15 	4 	6
 	57	4 	11 	15 	−3 	12
 	55	7 	7 	14 	−10	75
 	69	2 	11 	13 	5 	63
 	81	10	1 	11 	−2 	39
 	59	3 	7 	10 	−9 	22
 	69	6 	3 	9 	−8 	28
 	36	6 	3 	9 	−9 	10
 	30	4 	3 	7 	2 	4
 	24	1 	4 	5 	5 	20
 	37	0 	5 	5 	−15	16
 	33	2 	2 	4 	2 	93
† 	18	0 	2 	2 	−5 	33
 	13	0 	2 	2 	0 	7
 	9 	0 	2 	2 	0 	0
 	19	1 	0 	1 	2 	4
 	5 	0 	0 	0 	−2 	2
‡ 	4 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	6
 	1 	0 	0 	0 	1 	0
‡ 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0
Playoffs
Player	 	 	 	 	 	
 	5	1	6	7	−1	0
 	5	0	7	7	−1	2
 	5	5	1	6	−5	2
 	5	3	2	5	−5	2
 	5	2	3	5	−1	2
 	5	2	0	2	−4	6
 	5	0	2	2	−3	0
 	5	0	2	2	−6	0
 	5	1	0	1	−1	2
 	5	0	1	1	0 	2
 	4	0	1	1	−2	2
 	2	0	1	1	−3	0
 	5	0	0	0	0 	0
 	5	0	0	0	−2	0
 	5	0	0	0	−2	2
 	5	0	0	0	−1	2
 	5	0	0	0	−3	0
 	3	0	0	0	0 	0
 	3	0	0	0	−1	2
 	2	0	0	0	0 	2
 	1	0	0	0	0 	0
===Goaltenders===
 Regular season 
Player	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	52	52	3062:52	30	20	2	148	2.90	1477	.900	2	0	2	2
 	26	24	1477:29	12	7 	5	83 	3.37	752 	.890	2	0	0	0
 	6 	6 	360:12 	3 	2 	1	20 	3.33	185 	.892	0	0	0	0
 Playoffs
Player	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	5	5	298:06	1	4	16	3.22	156	.897	0	0	0	0
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Tampa Bay. Stats reflect time with Tampa Bay only.
‡Traded from Tampa Bay mid-season.
Bold/italics denotes franchise record
==Roster==
==Suspensions/fines==
Player 	Explanation 	Length	Salary 	Date issued
Austin Watson	Fined for Unsportsmanlike Conduct during the game against the Nashville Predators on December 7, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena	— 	$2,022.57	December 8, 2023
== Awards and honours ==
=== Awards ===
Regular season
Player	Award 	Awarded
 	NHL Second Star of the Week 	October 30, 2023
 	NHL Second Star of the Week 	November 27, 2023
 	NHL First Star of the Month 	December 1, 2023
 	NHL First Star of the Week 	December 11, 2023
 	2024 National Hockey League All-Star Game	January 4, 2024
 	NHL First Star of the Week 	January 29, 2024
 	NHL First Star of the Week 	March 18, 2024
 	NHL First Star of the Week 	April 8, 2024
 	2023–2024 Art Ross Trophy winner 	April 18, 2024
=== Milestones ===
Regular season
Player 	Milestone 	Reached
Waltteri Merela 	1st career NHL game 	October 10, 2023
Brayden Point 	500th career NHL game 	October 10, 2023
Matt Tomkins 	1st career NHL game 	October 15, 2023
Jon Cooper 	800th career NHL game 	October 15, 2023
Erik Cernak 	300th career NHL game 	October 17, 2023
Brayden Point 	2nd career NHL hat-trick 	November 4, 2023
Matt Tomkins 	1st career NHL win 	November 7, 2023
Mikhail Sergachev	200th career NHL assist 	November 9, 2023
Cole Koepke 	1st career NHL assist 	November 18, 2023
Brayden Point 	3rd career NHL hat-trick 	November 24, 2023
Victor Hedman 	1000th career NHL game 	December 4, 2023
Anthony Cirelli 	200th career NHL point 	December 6, 2023
Tanner Jeannot 	200th career NHL game 	December 7, 2023
Calvin de Haan 	600th career NHL game 	December 14, 2023
Steven Stamkos 	12th career NHL hat-trick 	December 14, 2023
Nick Perbix 	100th career NHL game 	December 19, 2023
Brayden Point 	500th career NHL point 	December 21, 2023
Nikita Kucherov 	300th career NHL goal 	December 27, 2023
Austin Watson 	500th career NHL game 	December 31, 2023
Declan Carlile 	1st career NHL game 	January 4, 2024
Emil Lilleberg 	1st career NHL game 	January 6, 2024
Jack Thompson 	1st career NHL game 	January 6, 2024
Emil Lilleberg 	1st career NHL assist1st career NHL point 	January 9, 2024
Jon Cooper 	500th career NHL win 	January 9, 2024
Gage Goncalves 	1st career NHL game 	January 11, 2024
Max Crozier 	1st career NHL game 	January 13, 2024
Nikita Kucherov 	800th career NHL point 	January 13, 2024
Waltteri Merela 	1st career NHL goal1st career NHL point 	January 18, 2024
Nikita Kucherov 	500th career NHL assist 	January 18, 2024
Mikey Eyssimont 	100th career NHL game 	January 20, 2024
Max Crozier 	1st career NHL assist1st career NHL point 	January 23, 2024
Nikita Kucherov 	5th career NHL hat-trick 	January 23, 2024
Anthony Cirelli 	400th career NHL game 	January 25, 2024
Mitchell Chaffee 	1st career NHL goal1st career NHL assist1st career NHL point	January 25, 2024
Steven Stamkos 	1100th career NHL point 	January 25, 2024
Victor Hedman 	700th career NHL point 	January 27, 2024
Nikita Kucherov 	700th career NHL game 	February 19, 2024
Brayden Point 	4th career NHL hat-trick 	March 14, 2024
Nick Paul 	400th career NHL game 	March 27, 2024
Brandon Hagel 	200th career NHL point 	April 3, 2024
Anthony Duclair 	300th career NHL point 	April 9, 2024
Steven Stamkos 	13th career NHL hat-trick 	April 9, 2024
Darren Raddysh 	100th career NHL game 	April 11, 2024
Tyler Motte 	400th career NHL game 	April 11, 2024
Playoffs
Player 	Milestone 	Reached
Mitchell Chaffee 	1st career playoff game 	April 21, 2024
Emil Lilleberg 	1st career playoff game 	April 21, 2024
Max Crozier 	1st career playoff game 	April 23, 2024
Anthony Cirelli 	100th career playoff game 	April 23, 2024
Steven Stamkos 	100th career playoff point	April 27, 2024
Mikhail Sergachev	100th career playoff game 	April 29, 2024
===Records===
Regular season
Player	Record 	Reached
 	Tenth-most goals in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman passed Ondrej Palat (143). 	October 14, 2023
 	Seventh-most points in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point passed Alex Killorn (466). 	October 17, 2023
 	Tied for ninth-most goals in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman tied Fredrik Modin (145). 	November 4, 2023
 	Most five-point games in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed Vincent Lecavalier (3). 	November 4, 2023
 	Ninth-most goals in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman passed Fredrik Modin (145). 	November 6, 2023
 	Sixth-most games played in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed Pavel Kubina (662). 	November 22, 2023
 	Sixth-most points in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point passed Brad Richards (489). 	November 24, 2023
 	Most points in a single game in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov tied Doug Crossman (6). 	November 24, 2023
 	Third player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to play 1,000 career games with the franchise. Hedman was also the first defensemen in franchise history to play 1,000 games. 	December 4, 2023
 	Most consecutive games with an assist in Tampa Bay Lighting history (11). Kucherov passed Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards. 	December 6, 2023
 	Most goals in a single game in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Stamkos tied Martin St. Louis and Chris Kontos (4). 	December 14, 2023
 	Most shots in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Stamkos passed Vincent Lecavalier (3,166). 	December 19, 2023
 	Sixth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 500 career points with the franchise. 	December 21, 2023
 	Fourth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 300 career goals with the franchise. 	December 27, 2023
 	Most games played in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Stamkos passed Vincent Lecavalier (1,037). 	December 31, 2023
 	Fourth-most assists in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed Vincent Lecavalier (491). 	January 7, 2024
 	Eighth-most assists in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point passed Alex Killorn (268). 	January 13, 2024
 	Fourth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 800 career points with the team. 	January 13, 2024
 	Eighth-most goals in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman passed Brad Richards (150). 	January 18, 2024
 	Fourth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 500 assists. 	January 18, 2024
 	First defensemen to record 700 career points in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman is also the fifth Lightning player to record 700 points in team history. 	January 27, 2024
 	Tenth-most games played in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point passed Brad Richards (552). 	February 13, 2024
 	Most multi-assist games in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed Martin St. Louis (121). 	February 25, 2024
 	Least amount of games needed to record 100 points in Tampa Bay Lightning history (59 games). Kucherov passed his prior record (62 games). 	February 25, 2024
 	Most assists in a single game by a Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman (5). Raddysh also tied Martin St. Louis and Mark Recchi for the most assists in a single game by a Tampa Bay Lightning player (5). 	March 9, 2024
 	Tied most points in a single game by a Tampa Bay Lightning Defenseman. Raddysh tied Pavel Kubina and Doug Crossman (5). 	March 9, 2024
 	Second most games played in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Hedman passed Vincent Lecavalier (1,037). 	March 14, 2024
 	Tied most points in a single game in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point tied Nikita Kucherov and Doug Crossman (6). 	March 14, 2024
 	Tied most hat tricks in a single season in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Point tied Wendel Clark (3). 	March 14, 2024
 	Most points in a single season in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed his prior record (128). 	April 3, 2024
 	Most assists in a single season in Tampa Bay Lightning history. Kucherov passed his prior record (87). Kucherov also set the NHL record for most assists in a single season by a winger. Kucherov passed himself and Jaromír Jágr (87).	April 3, 2024
 	First player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 100 assists in a single season. Kucherov became the fifth player, and first winger, to record 100 assists in a single season. 	April 17, 2024
===Records===
Playoffs
Player	Record 	Reached
 	Eighth player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to appear in 100 career playoff games with the franchise.	April 23, 2024
 	Third player in Tampa Bay Lightning history to record 100 points in the playoffs. 	April 27, 2024
== Transactions ==
The Lightning have been involved in the following transactions during the 2023–24 season.
=== Trades ===
Date	Details 	Details 	Ref
 	To Colorado AvalancheRoss Colton 	To Tampa Bay Lightning2nd-round pick in 2023 	
 	To Chicago BlackhawksCorey Perry 	To Tampa Bay Lightning7th-round pick in 2024 	
 	To Nashville Predators4th-round pick in 2024 	To Tampa Bay Lightning4th-round pick in 2023 	
 	To Minnesota WildMaxim CajkovicPatrick Maroon 	To Tampa Bay Lightning7th-round pick in 2024 	
 	To Minnesota WildZach Bogosian 	To Tampa Bay Lightning7th-round pick in 2025 	
 	To Anaheim DucksTy Taylor 	To Tampa Bay LightningAdam Henrique 	
 	To Edmonton OilersAdam Henrique 	To Tampa Bay Lightning4th-round pick in 2025 	
 	To San Jose SharksJack Thompson3rd-round pick in 2024	To Tampa Bay LightningAnthony Duclair7th-round pick in 2025	
 	To Arizona Coyotes5th-round pick in 2027 	To Tampa Bay LightningMatt Dumba7th-round pick in 2025 	
=== Free agents ===
Date	Player 	Team 	Contract term	Ref
 	Mitchell Chaffee	from Minnesota Wild 	1-year 	
 	Luke Glendening 	from Dallas Stars 	2-year 	
 	Logan Brown 	from St. Louis Blues 	1-year 	
 	Conor Sheary 	from Washington Capitals 	3-year 	
 	Josh Archibald 	from Pittsburgh Penguins 	2-year 	
 	Jonas Johansson 	from Colorado Avalanche 	2-year 	
 	Trevor Carrick 	to Anaheim Ducks 	1-year 	
 	Ian Cole 	to Vancouver Canucks 	1-year 	
 	Alex Killorn 	to Anaheim Ducks 	4-year 	
 	Calvin de Haan 	from Carolina Hurricanes 	1-year 	
 	Rudolfs Balcers 	to ZSC Lions 	1-year 	
 	Tyler Motte 	from New York Rangers 	1-year 	
 	Austin Watson 	from Ottawa Senators 	1-year 	
 	Milo Roelens 	from Acadie–Bathurst Titan	3-year 	
 	Gabriel Szturc 	from Kelowna Rockets 	3-year 	
=== Waivers ===
Date	Player	Team	Ref
=== Contract terminations ===
Date	Player 	Via 	Ref
 	Josh Archibald	Contract termination	
=== Retirement ===
Date	Player	Ref
=== Signings ===
Key:
 Contract is entry-level.
Date	Player 	Contract term	Ref
 	Gabriel Fortier	1-year 	
 	Tanner Jeannot 	2-year 	
 	Brandon Hagel 	8-year 	
 	Darren Raddysh 	2-year 	
 	Ethan Gauthier 	3-year 	
 	Dylan Duke 	3-year 	
== Draft picks ==
Below are the Tampa Bay Lightning's selections at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, which was held on June 28 and 29, 2023, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
Round	# 	Player 	Pos	Nationality	College/Junior/Club team (League)
2 	371 	Ethan Gauthier 	RW 	 	Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
4 	1152	Jayson Shaugabay	RW 	 	Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
6 	179 	Warren Clark 	D 	 	Steinbach Pistons (MJHL)
7 	1933	Jack Harvey 	C 	 	Chicago Steel (USHL)
7 	211 	Ethan Hay 	C 	 	Flint Firebirds (OHL)
 
Notes:
# The Montreal Canadiens' second-round pick went to the Tampa Bay Lightning as the result of a trade on June 28, 2023, that sent Ross Colton to Colorado in exchange for this pick.
# The Tampa Bay Lightning's fourth-round pick was re-acquired as the result of a trade on June 29, 2023, that sent Chicago's fourth-round pick in 2024 to Tampa Bay in exchange for this pick.
#The Anaheim Ducks' seventh-round pick will go to the Tampa Bay Lightning as the result of a trade on March 24, 2021, that sent Alexander Volkov to Anaheim in exchange for Antoine Morand and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade). The condition—Tampa Bay will receive a seventh-round pick in 2023 if the pick is available at the time of the selection—was converted when the pick became available after earlier conditional trades with Columbus and Edmonton were resolved on April 8, 2021.
== References ==
Category:Tampa Bay Lightning seasons
Tampa Bay