Advertise on podcast: The Last Call - Tampa Bay Lightning Postgame Show

The Tampa Bay Lightning earned a point but left Utah wondering what might have been after surrendering leads of 3-1 and 4-2 before falling 5-4 in overtime to the Utah Mammoth. Despite another big offensive night and a historic milestone for Nikita Kucherov, defensive breakdowns and turnovers proved costly as the Mammoth stormed back in the final minutes to steal the extra point. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli, Erik Erlendsson, and Bobby "The Chief" Taylor break down Tampa Bay's defensive struggles, the importance of improving puck management, and why the Lightning cannot continue asking their goaltenders to bail them out night after night. The crew also discusses another encouraging performance from Dennis Hildeby, Connor Geekie's highlight-reel goal, and Brayden Point's much-needed trip to the scoresheet. Plus, hear postgame comments from Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Jon Cooper after Kucherov became the franchise's all-time leading scorer, passing Steven Stamkos in one of the brightest moments of an otherwise frustrating night. Topics & Timestamps 0:46 – Initial reaction to the Lightning's 5-4 overtime loss and earning three points on the road trip 1:33 – Why there is still plenty to clean up despite salvaging a point in Utah 2:57 – Chief's assessment of the defensive breakdowns that allowed Utah back into the game 4:26 – Discussion on Dennis Hildeby's performance and the key saves that preserved a point 5:16 – Nikita Kucherov reacts after becoming the franchise's all-time leading scorer and credits former teammate Steven Stamkos 8:07 – Breakdown of Conor Geekie's impressive goal and the continued impact of his skating development 9:59 – Why Geekie's growth is giving the Lightning confidence in a larger role moving forward 10:43 – Brayden Point's goal, offensive expectations, and the need for more production from Tampa Bay's top center 13:40 – Brayden Point discusses Kucherov's record-setting assist and the significance of sharing the ice with him 14:52 – Point evaluates the effort level and the difference between the Lightning's performances in Colorado and Utah 17:01 – Revisiting Tampa Bay's quick start and how the game unraveled despite building multiple leads 17:40 – Jon Cooper on Kucherov's historic achievement and why he will be remembered among the franchise's all-time greats 18:53 – Cooper's overall assessment of the road trip and earning three points against three playoff-caliber opponents 19:38 – Evaluating the mixed results of the road trip and the need for better defensive play moving forward 21:12 – Why the Lightning must rely less on their goaltenders and tighten up defensively before returning home 24:20 – Final thoughts and a look ahead to Thursday's matchup against the Winnipeg Jets at Benchmark International Arena See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning saw their three-game winning streak come to an end Thursday night with a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Despite getting two goals from Jake Guentzel and another tally from Charles-Edouard D'Astous, the Lightning spent most of the night chasing the game after an early Colorado surge. Defensive breakdowns, turnovers, and missed opportunities on special teams proved too much to overcome against one of the NHL's most explosive offensive teams.] On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli, Erik Erlendsson, and Bobby "The Chief" Taylor break down what went wrong for Tampa Bay, including a difficult night defending Colorado's speed, the challenges of playing from behind, and why the Lightning's puck management wasn't sharp enough. The crew also discusses the status of Victor Hedman after he left the game early, the continued consistency of Guentzel, and what needs to improve before a quick turnaround against Utah Hockey Club. Hear postgame comments from Brayden Point, Charles-Edouard D'Astous, and Jon Cooper as the Lightning look to regroup before the second half of their back-to-back. Topics & Timestamps 0:35 – Opening reaction to the Lightning's 6-3 loss and Colorado's fast start 1:01 – Why Tampa Bay spent the night chasing the game after falling behind early 2:36 – Chief breaks down the defensive-zone mistakes that led to wide-open Avalanche scoring chances 4:19 – Colorado's urgency after recent losses and why the Avalanche dictated play from the opening puck drop 6:03 – Brayden Point on the turnovers, puck management issues, and lack of execution 7:01 – Point discusses the struggles on zone entries and missed opportunities on the power play 8:28 – Discussion on Victor Hedman's early exit and what it could mean going into Utah 9:25 – Charles-Edouard D'Astous joins the media and evaluates the team's slow start 10:37 – D'Astous explains why falling behind 2-0 against a team like Colorado is difficult to overcome 11:07 – Looking ahead to Utah and the adjustments Tampa Bay must make on the second night of a back-to-back 12:29 – How the Lightning's defensive structure struggled against Colorado's speed through the neutral zone 14:16 – What Tampa Bay's blue line could look like if Hedman is unavailable against Utah 15:30 – Jon Cooper discusses the loss, defensive breakdowns, and getting behind early 16:24 – Cooper points to missed shots and blocked attempts despite generating nearly 80 shot attempts 17:02 – Cooper's message for the team heading into the back-to-back finale against Utah 18:53 – Why Jake Guentzel's two-goal performance was one of the few bright spots on the night 20:18 – Guentzel's consistency and value across all situations for Tampa Bay 20:57 – Early scouting report on Utah Hockey Club, including a dangerous power play led by Mikhail Sergachev, Nick Schmaltz, and Clayton Keller 22:18 – Expectations for Dennis Hildeby and the challenge awaiting the Lightning in Utah 22:57 – Final thoughts and preview of Friday night's matchup against Utah See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning opened their western road trip with an impressive 6-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, powered by a three-point night from Nikita Kucherov, who tied Steven Stamkos' franchise record for career points. While Kucherov added another memorable chapter to his Hall of Fame-caliber career, the real difference on this night was Andrei Vasilevskiy, who weathered an early Vegas push and delivered several game-changing saves to help Tampa Bay take control. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli, Erik Erlendsson, and Bobby "The Chief" Taylor break down Kucherov's historic night, Vasilevskiy's brilliance, and another strong performance from John Carlson, who continues to make his impact felt at both ends of the ice. The crew also discusses Tampa Bay's opportunistic offense, special teams success, and why beating one of the NHL's top teams on the road is a significant statement early in the season. Plus, hear postgame comments from Jon Cooper, John Carlson, and Victor Hedman on Kucherov's milestone, the team's road-trip opener, and the role Vasilevskiy played in securing two valuable points. Topics & Timestamps 0:35 – Opening thoughts on the Lightning's 6-2 win over Vegas and Kucherov tying the franchise points record 1:21 – Why Andrei Vasilevskiy was the difference-maker despite Vegas generating quality scoring chances 3:38 – Nikita Kucherov's remarkable dominance against the Golden Knights and his record-tying performance 5:30 – Breaking down Victor Hedman's key goal late in the second period and how it shifted the game 6:06 – Why Vegas' rush attack created problems and how Tampa Bay survived the pressure 8:35 – Replay of John Carlson's goal and discussion of his veteran awareness and offensive instincts 10:38 – Jon Cooper joins the media and discusses the team's response after a challenging first period 12:34 – Cooper reflects on Kucherov's consistency, historic production, and why special talents like him are rare 13:15 – Panel discussion on Kucherov's unique ability to slow the game down and control every shift 15:37 – John Carlson on the team's opportunistic offense, special teams success, and Kucherov's greatness 17:40 – Carlson explains what players can learn from watching Kucherov's habits and preparation 18:13 – Why Kucherov's work ethic is every bit as impressive as his on-ice skill 19:56 – Victor Hedman discusses Vasilevskiy's performance, the strong road start, and Kucherov's milestone night 21:38 – Concern over Anthony Cirelli's departure after the second period and what the Lightning know so far 22:33 – Looking ahead to the remainder of the road trip, beginning with Friday's matchup against the Colorado Avalanche 23:25 – Closing thoughts after Tampa Bay improves its record with a convincing road win in Vegas See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning overcame an early 2-0 deficit and stormed back for a 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks behind a dominant performance from Nikita Kucherov, who scored twice and drove the offense all afternoon. Despite running into a red-hot Kevin Lankinen, the Lightning stayed patient, stuck to their game, and were rewarded with another impressive comeback victory. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli, Erik Erlendsson, and Brian Engblom break down Tampa Bay's resilience, Kucherov's shooter mentality, and the continued success of the line featuring Zemgus Girgensons, Pontus Holmberg, and Ilya Mikheyev. The crew also discusses a strong outing from Dennis Hildeby, the ongoing battle for top-six forward spots, and why the Lightning's depth continues to be one of their biggest strengths. Hear postgame comments from Nikita Kucherov, Jon Cooper, and Charles-Edouard D'Astous as the Lightning improve their record heading into a challenging western road trip that begins in Vegas.  Topics & Timestamps 0:33 – Opening thoughts on the Lightning's 4-2 comeback win over the Canucks and Vancouver goaltender Kevin Lankinen's strong performance 2:42 – Lightning stay patient despite falling behind and get rewarded for sticking to their game plan 3:23 – Gage Goncalves responds after being scratched and delivers one of his strongest efforts of the season 4:44 – The impact of the Girgensons, Holmberg, and Mikheyev line continues to grow 5:42 – Why Tampa Bay's third line has become the heartbeat of the team 8:25 – Nikita Kucherov meets with the media after his two-goal performance 10:03 – Breaking down Kucherov's aggressive shooting mentality and why it led to one of his best games of the season 11:50 – The power play capitalizes off a faceoff win as Tampa Bay continues making progress with the man advantage 13:56 – Jon Cooper discusses Kucherov's scoring touch, power-play adjustments, and team faceoff improvements 17:17 – Cooper praises the Holmberg line and explains why they're trusted against top competition 18:53 – Cooper calls Jake Guentzel a "Swiss Army Knife" and highlights his versatility 20:27 – Discussion on Kucherov's work ethic, leadership style, and dedication away from the spotlight 23:15 – Revisiting Pontus Holmberg's insurance goal and his relentless effort around the net 23:44 – Evaluating Dennis Hildeby's solid start and growing confidence as the backup goaltender  26:56 – Fan question: How has Dominic James looked since returning to the lineup? 29:07 – Internal competition heats up between Dominic James, Connor Geekie, and Gage Goncalves for bigger roles in the lineup 31:52 – Charles-Edouard D'Astous discusses earning ice time, contributing on the power play, and embracing competition on the blue line 33:33 – The challenge of managing seven defensemen and developing chemistry throughout the lineup 37:05 – Looking ahead to a difficult road trip featuring the Golden Knights, Avalanche, and Utah Hockey Club 38:34 – Final thoughts as the Lightning head west following another impressive comeback victory See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning bounced back in dramatic fashion Thursday night, defeating the Seattle Kraken 4-3 in overtime thanks to a vintage end-to-end rush from Victor Hedman. The captain turned back the clock with a highlight-reel game-winner, sending Amalie Arena into a frenzy and helping the Lightning improve to 5-2 on the season. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, JP Peterson, Jay Recher, and Brian Engblom break down Hedman's emotional moment, another dominant performance from Brandon Hagel, and the continued success of the Lightning's hard-working third line featuring Ilya Mikheyev, Pontus Holmberg, and Zemgus Girgensons. The crew also discusses Tampa Bay's ongoing search for the right top-line combination alongside Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, faceoff struggles that led directly to two Seattle goals, and what Dominic James brought in his season debut. Plus, hear postgame interviews with Brandon Hagel, Victor Hedman, Ilya Mikheyev and Jon Cooper as the Lightning close out an entertaining overtime victory and turn their attention to Saturday's matchup with the Vancouver Canucks. Topics & Timestamps 0:40 – Opening reactions to Victor Hedman's overtime game-winner and the Lightning's 4-3 victory over Seattle 3:23 – Brandon Hagel's two-goal night and why he's becoming the emotional leader of the team  5:13 – Strong performances from Ilya Mikheyev, Pontus Holmberg, and Zemgus Girgensons 6:31 – Breaking down Tampa Bay's constantly evolving line combinations and search for chemistry in the top six 8:46 – Discussion on Nikita Kucherov's eight-shot performance and continued offensive opportunities 9:11 – Brandon Hagel postgame interview on the win, Dominic James' return, and Hedman's heroics 13:35 – Preview of postgame interviews with Victor Hedman and Jon Cooper 15:09 – Victor Hedman discusses the overtime winner, trusting his instincts, and his strong start to the season 16:38 – How the Lightning are managing Hedman's workload and setting him up for long-term success 18:33 – Faceoff struggles lead directly to two Kraken goals and create issues on the power play 21:44 – Jon Cooper on Hedman's memorable moment and his overall team performance 23:44 – Cooper evaluates Dominic James' first game back in the lineup 24:17 – Cooper praises Brandon Hagel's impact and leadership on and off the ice  27:57 – Why Hagel has emerged as one of the Lightning's most important players 29:47 – Continued discussion on lineup combinations and finding the right winger for Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov 34:58 – Ilya Mikheyev postgame interview after scoring his 100th NHL goal 37:08 – Evaluating Tampa Bay's power play despite another scoreless night with the man advantage 40:45 – Around the NHL: Brady Tkachuk's hat-trick heroics and a look ahead to the Vancouver Canucks 42:05 – Final thoughts as the Lightning improve to 5-2 with an entertaining overtime victory See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning saw their four-game winning streak come to an end Tuesday night, falling 4-1 to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Despite outshooting the Rangers, the Lightning struggled to generate quality scoring chances against New York's aggressive forecheck and disciplined defensive structure. Zemgus Girgensons provided Tampa Bay's lone goal, but the Rangers controlled much of the game and completed a season sweep of the two early-season meetings. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli and Eric Erlendsson break down what went wrong for the Lightning, from the lack of offensive execution and power-play struggles to the difficulty of chasing the game after an early Rangers goal. The crew discusses why Tampa Bay's top offensive players were unable to find their rhythm, what adjustments may be needed on the power play, and how the Rangers continue to cause problems for the Bolts. Hear postgame comments from John Carlson and Jon Cooper as they discuss the Rangers' strong play, Tampa Bay's lack of execution, and the importance of bouncing back quickly before Thursday's matchup against the Seattle Kraken. Topics & Timestamps 0:48 – Opening thoughts on the Lightning's 4-1 loss and whether the Rangers are simply a difficult matchup for Tampa Bay 1:24 – Why New York's forecheck and defensive pressure smothered the Lightning offense all night 3:03 – The impact of Mike Sullivan's system and the Rangers' strong start to the season 4:29 – Jon Cooper goes to the line blender early looking for a spark after a sluggish start 4:46 – Analysis of Tampa Bay's top lines and why the Cirelli-Hagel-Guentzel combination couldn't replicate its recent success 5:52 – The quiet night from Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, and Tampa Bay's top offensive unit 7:17 – Power-play struggles continue as the Lightning go 0-for-4 on the night 9:44 – Why integrating John Carlson into Tampa Bay's power play remains a work in progress 11:28 – John Carlson discusses the Rangers' strong play, the importance of better starts, and needing a stronger overall effort 13:17 – Breaking down the Rangers' net-front presence and how it created problems throughout the game 14:54 – Discussion on Gage Goncalves' start to the season and the need for more offensive production 16:44 – Could the return of Dominic James create lineup decisions for the coaching staff? 17:53 – Jon Cooper reacts to the loss, calling the performance "dreadful" and praising the Rangers' execution 19:24 – Cooper on Alexis Lafrenière's breakout season and continued development 20:35 – Why Cooper's postgame message sends a strong signal after Tampa Bay's first loss in nearly two weeks 22:16 – Additional comments from John Carlson on the challenges of playing from behind and finding offensive consistency 23:21 – Looking ahead to Thursday's matchup with the surging Seattle Kraken and the importance of a quick response 24:18 – Final thoughts and what the Lightning must improve before returning home See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning made it four consecutive victories Saturday night, defeating the New York Islanders 5-3 behind a hat trick from Brandon Hagel, two goals from Jake Guentzel, and another stellar performance from Andrei Vasilevskiy. What looked like a comfortable night turned into a battle after the Islanders erased a two-goal deficit, but the Lightning responded late with Hagel's game-winning goal and an empty-net clincher to secure the win. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli, Eric Erlendsson, and Bobby "The Chief" Taylor break down Tampa Bay's dominant first period, the momentum swing in the second and third periods, and why Vasilevskiy was the difference when the Islanders pushed back. The crew also discusses Hagel's clutch performance, Guentzel's two-goal night, the importance of special teams, and the Lightning's impressive start that has them sitting at 4-1 through five games. Plus, hear postgame comments from Brandon Hagel, Jake Guentzel, and Jon Cooper as the Lightning continue to find ways to win while piling up points early in the season. Topics & Timestamps 0:38 – Lightning defeat the Islanders 5-3 and extend their winning streak to four games 1:56 – How Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel combined for all five Lightning goals 3:12 – Breaking down the Islanders' comeback and why the game nearly slipped away from Tampa Bay 5:07 – Brandon Hagel joins the media after recording his hat trick and game-winning goal 7:34 – Why Andrei Vasilevskiy's third-period saves were the key to preserving the victory 9:05 – Analysis of Hagel's game-winner and how traffic in front fooled Ilya Sorokin 11:12 – Jake Guentzel discusses the win, special teams, and grinding out points on the road 12:38 – The Lightning power play continues to build momentum early in the season 14:00 – Why Vasilevskiy showed exactly why he's still considered one of the NHL's elite goaltenders 15:20 – Discussion of Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer and his impressive performance 16:18 – Jon Cooper on finding a way to win after surrendering a late lead 17:13 – Cooper explains why "find-a-way" victories are important early in the season 18:32 – Reaction to Scott Sabourin's impact in the lineup, including a spirited fight and physical presence 22:01 – Revisiting the standout performances from Hagel, Guentzel, and the Lightning's second line 23:27 – Why Tampa Bay's depth and resiliency continue to stand out through five games 24:49 – The ongoing discussion around the Lightning's 11-forward, 7-defenseman lineup configuration 26:30 – Final thoughts as the Lightning prepare for Tuesday's showdown with the Rangers at Madison Square Garden See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their strong early-season play Thursday night, defeating the Minnesota Wild 3-2 behind a breakthrough performance from John Carlson and an impressive first home start from Dennis Hildeby. Carlson recorded his first goal as a member of the Lightning, including Tampa Bay's first power-play goal of the season, while Hildeby made several clutch saves late to preserve the victory. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli, JP Peterson, Bobby "The Chief" Taylor, and Brian Engblom break down a complete team effort, the continued development of Tampa Bay's defensive structure, and the impact Carlson is already making on the blue line and power play. The crew also discusses Hildeby's poise in his Lightning debut, the benefits of the 11-forward/7-defenseman alignment, and why this team appears more comfortable protecting leads than it did a season ago. Plus, hear postgame comments from Dennis Hildeby, Jon Cooper, and John Carlson as the Lightning improve to 3-1 on the season and prepare for a two-game road trip. Topics & Timestamps 0:36 – Lightning defeat the Wild 3-2 and finally break through on the power play 1:08 – Initial reactions to Dennis Hildeby's outstanding performance and late-game saves 1:42 – How John Carlson's skillset is transforming the Lightning power play 2:59 – Deep dive into Hildeby's composure, rebound control, and athleticism in net 5:31 – Tampa Bay's strong first period continues to be a trend through the opening weeks of the season 7:34 – Discussion on Minnesota's push and the challenge posed by elite defenseman Quinn Hughes 10:23 – Dennis Hildeby postgame interview on his first home start with the Lightning 13:04 – Benefits and challenges of Tampa Bay's 11-forward, 7-defenseman lineup configuration 14:41 – Max Crozier's heavy game and growing role on the blue line 17:49 – Roster discussion: what happens when D.J. James returns? 18:59 – Jon Cooper joins the show to discuss closing out one-goal games and Hildeby's debut 20:18 – Cooper praises Hildeby's timely saves and calm demeanor under pressure 21:51 – Why the Lightning needed a night like this from Carlson and the power play 23:16 – Cooper on building momentum with the man advantage after the season's first power-play goal 23:45 – Carlson's stat-stuffing night: goal, nine shots, blocks, and physical play 27:11 – Breaking down Carlson's first goal as a Lightning and the importance of traffic in front of the net 30:11 – John Carlson discusses reading defenses, generating shots through traffic, and finding chemistry with the power play unit 31:50 – Lightning improve to 3-1: evaluating the impressive homestand and what's working early in the season 32:27 – Why Tampa Bay's defensive structure and goaltending are carrying the team while the top scorers continue to find their rhythm 33:48 – Final thoughts on winning tight games and building confidence ahead of the upcoming road trip See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their strong start to the homestand with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at Benchmark International Arena. Led by another stellar performance from Andrei Vasilevskiy, timely scoring from Brayden Point, Pontus Holmberg, Ilya Mikheyev, and Brandon Hagel, and a dominant possession game, the Bolts improved to 2-1 on the season and showed once again that their commitment to structure and compete level is paying dividends. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli, JP Peterson, Bobby "The Chief" Taylor, and Brian Engblom break down another dominant defensive effort that limited Philadelphia to just 14 shots on goal. The crew discusses the emergence of the Ilya Mikheyev, Zemgus Girgensons, and Pontus Holmberg line, Max Crozier's strong performance on the blue line, and why Victor Hedman looks rejuvenated early this season. Plus, hear postgame comments from Brayden Point, Jon Cooper, and Ilya Mikheyev as the Lightning continue building momentum ahead of Thursday night's matchup with the Minnesota Wild.  Topics & Timestamps 0:40 – Lightning defeat the Flyers 4-1 and win their second straight game at home 1:10 – Andrei Vasilevskiy's key third-period saves and another strong performance in net 3:47 – Why the Mikheyev, Girgensons, and Holmberg line is becoming one of Tampa Bay's most trusted units 6:34 – Discussion on Max Crozier's impact, physical play, and opportunity in the lineup 8:05 – Brayden Point interview: generating offense, line chemistry, and ending his scoring drought 10:25 – The growing connection between John Carlson's point shot and Brayden Point's net-front presence 12:44 – Breaking down adjustments to the Lightning power play and the search for its first goal of the season 14:37 – Why Tampa Bay's penalty kill has been one of the team's biggest early-season strengths 15:40 – Holmberg's goal-scoring touch and value throughout the lineup 17:12 – Jon Cooper discusses team philosophy, puck possession, and the Lightning's improved compete level 19:52 – Cooper on Brayden Point's game and why his goal could spark a scoring streak 21:01 – Lessons learned from the season opener and how Tampa Bay has responded over the last two games 25:18 – Victor Hedman's strong start and how a reduced special-teams workload is helping his game 27:58 – Ilya Mikheyev interview after scoring a key insurance goal in the third period 33:54 – Looking ahead to Thursday night's game against the Minnesota Wild and potential lineup changes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning bounced back from their season-opening loss with an impressive 3-1 victory over the Washington Capitals, and the Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's crew breaks down a complete team effort at Benchmark International Arena. From the opening puck drop, the Lightning played with the energy, physicality, and attention to detail that Head Coach Jon Cooper demanded, outshooting Washington 14-5 in a dominant first period and never looking back. Hosts Greg Linnelli, JP Peterson, Bobby "The Chief" Taylor, and Brian Engblom discuss standout performances from Conor Geekie, who scored his first goal of the season, and Andrei Vasilevskiy, who was sharp throughout the night while turning aside several quality Washington chances. The panel also examines the Lightning's improved compete level, dominant faceoff performance, special teams, and the continued resurgence of Victor Hedman. Plus, hear postgame comments from Conor Geekie, Brandon Hagel, and Jon Cooper as the Lightning earn their first win of the season and build momentum heading into Monday night's matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers. Topics & Timestamps 0:37 – Opening thoughts on the Lightning's 3-1 win and the dominant first period 1:57 – Conor Geekie's strong performance, offseason improvements, and first goal of the season 5:18 – Breaking down the seven-defenseman rotation and update on Emil Lilleberg leaving the game 5:34 – Brian Engblom on managing seven defensemen and Victor Hedman's standout night 7:50 – Connor Geekie postgame interview on his goal and the team's response after the season opener 9:20 – Why Geekie may deserve a larger role in the Lightning lineup 11:14 – Brandon Hagel discusses the Lightning's improved compete level and work ethic 13:16 – Was this an early-season playoff atmosphere? Breakdown of the game's intensity and physicality 15:31 – Andrei Vasilevskiy's bounce-back performance and why he looked like vintage Vasy 17:28 – Deep dive into Vasilevskiy's technique and what makes him one of the NHL's elite goaltenders 19:33 – Jon Cooper on the response he wanted to see after the Rangers loss and the importance of winning battles 21:36 – Cooper praises Pontus Holmberg and discusses the effectiveness of the Lightning power play 23:14 – Final thoughts on Tampa Bay's first win of the season and key takeaways moving forward 25:18 – Looking ahead to Monday night's matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers 26:30 – Remembering former NHL defenseman Lyle Odelein and closing thoughts from the crew See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning opened the 2026-27 season with a disappointing 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. While Nikita Kucherov provided the lone Lightning goal, the story of the night was the Rangers' relentless pressure, dominant special teams, and a rare goalie goal from Igor Shesterkin that put an exclamation point on New York's victory. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli, Erik Erlendsson, and Bobby "The Chief" Taylor break down what went wrong for Tampa Bay, from the lack of pushback and emotional spark to a power play that went 0-for-7. Hear postgame comments from John Carlson, Jon Cooper, and Brandon Hagel as the Lightning look to regroup before Saturday's home opener against Washington. The crew also discusses whether the Rangers' season-opening experience gave them an edge, how the Lightning's leadership group can respond, and potential lineup adjustments heading into Game 2. It's only one game, but there are already lessons to be learned as Tampa Bay turns its attention to bouncing back on home ice. Topics & Timestamps 0:45 – Breaking down the Lightning's 5-1 season-opening loss to the Rangers and Igor Shesterkin's historic goalie goal 1:57 – Rangers dominate faceoffs, penalty kill, and puck possession throughout the night 3:23 – The turning point: Lightning lose momentum after the Rangers' early power-play goal 5:41 – Why faceoffs and puck battles became a major factor in the outcome 7:24 – Did New York's extra game experience provide an advantage? 9:56 – John Carlson on the team's lack of "extra oomph" and what must improve moving forward 12:59 – Reviewing the Lightning power play and missed opportunities with seven chances on the man advantage 13:19 – Jon Cooper reacts: "The lack of pushback" was the biggest disappointment 15:39 – Chief and Erik discuss Cooper's pointed message and the team's response after adversity struck 19:28 – Brandon Hagel takes accountability and explains why the Lightning's intensity was missing 21:18 – Why emotion, energy, and leadership will be key heading into the home opener 24:30 – Could lineup changes be coming? Discussion on Max Crozier and defensive pairings for Saturday's game 25:29 – Final thoughts and expectations for the home opener against the Capitals See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning wrapped up the preseason on a high note, defeating the Florida Panthers 3-2 in a shootout, and Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's breaks down all the biggest storylines heading into Opening Night. Benjamin Rautiainen scored the game-tying goal in the third period before delivering a highlight-reel shootout winner, capping an impressive camp for one of Tampa Bay's most intriguing young prospects. Host Greg Linnelli and Eric Erlendsson discuss the final roster battles, the impressive depth throughout the organization, and why players like Rautiainen, Sam O'Reilly, Connor Geekie, Lucas Mercuri, and Jeff Viel gave the coaching staff plenty to think about before opening night. The show also features comments from Head Coach Jon Cooper, Viel and Mercuri as camp comes to a close. As the preseason ends and the regular season begins next week, the crew examines Tampa Bay's roster depth, the emergence of several young players, and why there's growing optimism surrounding this Lightning team heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Topics & Time Markers 0:00 – Lightning defeat Panthers 3-2 in a shootout; Rautiainen's heroics1:15 – Rautiainen's standout camp and opening-night roster discussion5:40 – Jeff Viel interview: chemistry, physicality, and his role on the team9:40 – John Cooper on the most competitive Lightning training camp in years13:20 – Final roster decisions, organizational depth, and players who impressed17:40 – Rautiainen ties the game on the power play18:55 – Lucas Mercuri interview after scoring in his preseason debut21:45 – Expectations for the regular season and why this team feels motivated24:10 – Dennis Hildeby earns the backup job and the Jonas Johansson trade26:15 – Final thoughts as the Lightning turn the page to Opening Night against the Rangers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning dropped a 5-3 decision to the Florida Panthers in their third preseason game, but there was no shortage of encouraging performances to discuss on the latest edition of Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel’s. Despite a rough opening period and an uphill battle on the scoreboard, several players fighting for roster spots made strong impressions as training camp enters its final stretch. Greg Linnelli, JP Peterson, and Brian Engblom break down a two-goal night from Jansen Harkins, the continued emergence of Sam O’Reilly, and another productive performance from Conor Geekie. The crew also discusses O’Reilly’s all-around game, his success in the faceoff circle, and why he’s making the decision-makers think long and hard about opening-night roster spots. Plus, hear postgame comments from Jon Cooper, Jansen Harkins, and Conor Geekie, along with a deep dive into the evolving Lightning power play, John Carlson's growing chemistry with Tampa Bay’s stars, and why the organization is excited about the future connection between O’Reilly and Geekie. The final score may not have gone Tampa Bay’s way, but plenty of storylines are emerging as the regular season draws near. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning jumped out to a 2-0 lead behind a two-goal night from newcomer Jeff Viel, but the Nashville Predators rallied late and handed the Bolts a 3-2 overtime loss in preseason action. The Last Call crew breaks down what changed after a strong opening 50 minutes and what the coaching staff can take away from the defeat. Greg Linnelli, Eric Erlendsson, and Bobby "The Chief" Taylor discuss the costly turnovers, defensive-zone breakdowns, and missed opportunities that allowed Nashville back into the game. They also highlight the impressive debut of Dennis Hildeby, whose strong performance in goal kept Tampa Bay in position to win, along with standout efforts from Jeff Viel, Sam O'Reilly, Conor Geekie, and Noah Steen. Plus, hear postgame comments from Jon Cooper, Jeff Viel, and Conor Geekie as the Lightning continue evaluating young talent and roster battles with just two preseason games remaining. Despite the result, there was plenty to like, and plenty to learn, as Tampa Bay's preseason rolls on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tampa Bay Lightning opened the preseason with a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators, and the Last Call crew breaks down everything that stood out from Sunday night's win. Drawing from the postgame discussion and player interviews, they discuss the strong performances from Sam O'Reilly, Conor Geekie, John Carlson, and Ilya Mikheyev, while also examining Tampa Bay's dominant penalty kill and impressive puck management. Greg Linnelli, Bobby "The Chief" Taylor, JP Peterson, and Brian Engblom discuss O'Reilly's mature two-way game, Geekie's game-winning goal, Carlson's seamless fit on the blue line, and why Victor Hedman looks rejuvenated heading into the season. Plus, hear comments from Jon Cooper, Sam O'Reilly, and Ilya Mikheyev as roster battles begin to heat up with only a few preseason games remaining. Tampa Bay gets the win, but the bigger story may be the depth and competition taking shape throughout the lineup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.