STACKED DEFENSE: How Lightning SHOULD Manage 8-Man Blueline Rotation; Bolts' Biggest X-Factor

Podcast: Locked On Lightning - Daily Podcast On The Tampa Bay Lightning · Locked On Podcast Network, Josh Sperber

Opublikowano: 2026-09-30

Tampa Bay Lightning face pivotal decisions with a loaded blue line—will Jon Cooper's rotation strategy keep veterans like Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh fresh for a deep postseason run? With the team opting to carry eight defensemen, the debate heats up around load management, matchup-based pairings, and how newcomers like John Carlson will fit alongside shutdown duos such as McDonagh-Cernak. Nick Morgan and Greg Stephen break down how special teams could be the ultimate X factor for Lightning success, spotlighting Nikita Kucherov’s power play brilliance and Anthony Cirelli’s Selke-caliber penalty killing. Award predictions abound: is thi...