Ten Best Lightning Games Ever

What were the best Lightning Games Ever? What games led to the Lightning being successful as a team? Here is a list of the 10 best games in the history of the franchise.

10. October 6, 2018
Regular Season Game 1
Amalie Arena
Lightning 2 Panthers 1 (Shoot Out)

This was the first game of the regular season for the Lightning on their way to the President's Cup. The team won in a shoot out. It would be the 1st of 62 wins for the Lightning. Those 62 wins would tie an NHL record. Although the season did not end how anyone wanted it to, the 1st win in a record breaking season is certainly newsworthy.

Goal: Anthony Cirelli

JT Miller and Nikita Kucherov scored in the shootout

9. May 27, 2004

Stanley Cup Finals Game 2

St. Pete Times Forum

Lightning 4 Flames 1

This was a win in the Lighting's only Stanley Cup championship and their first of the series, so you would think it would be higher on the list. However, the other games on this list just edge it out. This is the one game on the list that was never in doubt and the most lopsided of the group. It still makes the list because it was win 1 of the Stanley Cup winning season.

Goals: Ruslan Fedotenko, Brad Richards, Dan Boyle, Martin St. Louis

8. April 20, 2003
Eastern Conference First Round Game 6
MCI Center
Lightning 2 Capitals 1 (3OT)

This win helped the Lightning advance to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals for the first time. It was an incredible three overtime win against a tough Capitals squad. The win was the fourth in a row over the Capitals to win the series. St. Louis scored the game winner in the 3rd overtime, but the player of the game was Nikolai Khabibulin who had 60 saves!

Goals: Dave Andreychuk, Martin St. Louis

7. April 15, 2003
Eastern Conference First Round Game 3
MCI Center
Lightning 4 Capitals 3 (OT)

The Lightning were down 2 games to 0 in this series and this win would be the first of 4 in a row allowing the Lightning to win their first playoff series. What an incredible shift in momentum for the franchise created by this win. Lecavalier hit the game winner in OT, scoring his 2nd goal of the night.

Goals: Vincent Lecavalier (2), Vinny Prospal, Martin St. Louis

 6. April 29, 2015

Eastern Conference First Round Game 7

Joe Louis Arena

Lightning 2 Red Wings 0

The Lightning would take out their first of 3 straight original 6 teams with this game 7 win over the Rangers. Ben Bishop would have a 31 save shutout in this one. Bishop even picked up an assist on the 2nd goal.

Goals: Braydon Coburn, Anton Stralman

 5. May 31, 2004

Stanley Cup Finals Game 4
Pengrowth Saddledome
Lightning 1 Flames 0

The Lightning were down 2 games to 1 and needed a win in this game. Nikolai Khabibulin certainly did his part in recording 29 saves in the shutout victory. Due to the excellence of Khabibulin the Lightning were able to tie the series that they would eventually win.

Goal: Brad Richards

4. May 29, 2015
Eastern Conference Finals Game 7
Madison Square Garden
Lightning 2 Rangers 0

The Lightning were able to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the 2nd time by knocking out their third straight original 6 team. This time, they would do it in a game 7. Ben Bishop would post a shutout to make it happen recording 22 saves along the way.

Goals: Alex Killorn, Ondrej Palat

3. May 22, 2004

Eastern Conference Finals Game 7

St. Pete Times Forum

Lightning 2 Flyers 1

The Lightning don't even make it to the cup without winning this winner take all game against the Rangers. Khabibulin's 22 saves really made it happen in this one. The Lightning were able to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in team history.

Goals: Ruslan Fedotenko, Fredrik Modin

2. June 5th, 2004

Stanley Cup Finals Game 6

Pengrowth Saddledome

Lightning 3 Flames 2 (2OT)

There should be no doubt about the top two games on this list. The Flames are still bitter about this one, but it has been proved several times over that the referees made the correct call. St. Louis scored in the 2nd overtime and we saw a Game 7! Khabibulin was again outstanding with 31 saves.

Goals: Brad Richards (2), Martin St. Louis

1. June 7th, 2004

Stanley Cup Finals Game 7

St. Pete Times Forum

Lightning 2 Flames 1

This is a no-brainer at #1. The Lightning won the dang cup! Hopefully they win another one at some point, but this will always be #1 on the list. The first is always the best.

Goals: Ruslan Fedotenko (2)

- Noland