The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their buyers streak during the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. However, General Manager Julien BriseBois did not sell the house this year, holding on to top prospects and early-round draft picks. Did BriseBois make enough change to the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup to solidify a playoff spot?
Analyzing the Tampa Bay Lightning Lineup: New Line Combinations Post-Trade Deadline
Tampa Bay went after two under-the-radar targets. The skilled and speedy forward from the San Jose Sharks, Anthony Duclair, will help boost the offence. Then, Matt Dumba, the physical and experienced defender from the Arizona Coyotes, will help the back end. In the end, BriseBois only surrendered Jack Thompson, a 2024 third-round pick, and a 2027 5th-round pick.
In their first game with Duclair and Dumba, the Bolts recorded a 7-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night at Amalie Arena. Duclair potted a pair of points with a goal and assist on the evening, and Matt Dumba added two hits and a fight. Jon Cooper ran through some new line combinations in the most recent win. Let’s analyze the new look Lightning heading into the final games of the regular season.
Tampa Bay Lightning Lineup: Forward Lines
Hagel – Point – Kucherov
Stamkos – Cirelli – Duclair
Eyssimont – Paul – Sheary
Motte – Glendening – Watson
Line 1: Dominant Offensive Trio
Brandon Hagel has reunited with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov again on line one. This trio dominates offensively at 5v5. Hagel adds a much-needed defensive element to this line that disappears with Steven Stamkos on the left wing. There is nothing new here, as Cooper rolled this line at times over the past two seasons.
Line 2: The New Guy Slots In
The newest Lightning forward finds himself on the second line with the Captain and defensive specialist Anthony Cirelli. Stamkos plays a sheltered role due to his regression at 5v5, while also contributing in a top-six role. Duclair is a pure offensive talent with blazing speed. We expect him to help Stamkos and Cirelli get going at even strength offensively. Furthermore, Cirelli provides stable defensive support for two offensive-minded wingers.
Line 3: Sleeper Scoring Depth
A new third line sees Conor Sheary get a promotion. Despite battling through a rough season, the free-agent signing has two goals and three points in his last two games. Nick Paul is a natural centre that Cooper can maximize in the faceoff circle and defensive zone. Lastly, Eyssimont adds tenacity and an engine to drive this line off the rush.
Line 4: Grit and Defensive Support
While we expect Tanner Jeannot to return from injury shortly, this fourth line will look to bring grit and defensive help to the Bolts. The roster has thinned out since the cup runs, and the depth isn’t nearly as good as in the past. However, Tyler Motte and Jeannot are impactful fourth-line options for the Bolts.
Tampa Bay Lightning Lineup: Defence Pairings
Hedman – Raddysh
Perbix – Cernak
Fleury – Dumba
Pairing 1: Minute Crunchers
Cooper has yet to find a consistent partner for Victor Hedman this season. During the cup runs, Jan Rutta served as Hedman’s partner on the right side. The Lightning may have found their guy in Darren Raddysh, who recorded five assists on Saturday night. He’s blossoming into the top-four defenceman we projected him to become in September.
Pairing 2: Righty-Tighty
A second pairing with two right-handed shots isn’t optimal for most coaches. Yet, Nicklaus Perbix and Erik Cernak clicked quite well on Saturday night. With Cernak as his partner, Perbix can finally start to pinch and take more offensive risks. Perbix possesses solid puck-moving abilities and the potential to be a legitimate second-pairing guy in the future.
Pairing 3: Flexible Depth
Dumba stabilizes the third defensive pairing for the Lightning. Haydn Fleury earned an opportunity to play in the lineup on Saturday. The former high-draft pick performed quite decently. The Lightning also have options with Calvin de Haan and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg. Having eight NHL-worthy defencemen heading into the playoffs is extremely valuable in case of injury.
Outlook To Close the Season
It’s no secret Cooper wants to solidify his line combinations heading into the playoffs. The Bolts are on track to snag a Wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, and their opponent will be difficult to beat. However, with the experience of the current core and additions to the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup at the trade deadline, anything is possible. Duclair and Dumba look like fantastic additions to the Lightning.
Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
