The Stanley Cup Final is here, and on this episode of Backchecking the Bolts, we break down the biggest storylines surrounding the battle for hockey’s ultimate prize!

We’ll discuss:
🏆 Stanley Cup Final preview and predictions
⚡ What the Tampa Bay Lightning can learn from this year’s finalists
⚡ The future of the Bolts prospect pipeline
⭐ Sam O’Reilly’s potential impact in Tampa Bay
⭐ Benjamin Rautiainen’s breakout and NHL future
💰 Which NHL free agents could be available on July 1st and whether any make sense for the Lightning

#tampabaylightning #GoBolts #stanleycupfinals #NHLPlayoffs #TBL #StanleyCup

Former Tampa Bay Lightning forward and 2004 Stanley Cup Champion Eric Perrin joins Backchecking the Bolts for an in-depth interview covering one of hockey’s most unique career journeys.

Eric discusses his path from the University of Vermont to professional hockey after going undrafted, eventually earning his opportunity with the Lightning and becoming part of Tampa Bay’s historic 2004 Stanley Cup championship team.

The conversation also dives into his remarkable European hockey career, including his time in Finland’s Liiga, where he became the highest-scoring foreign-born player in league history. Eric shares stories from his NHL career, adapting to European hockey, playing overseas, and what it took to build a long and successful professional career.

If you enjoy Tampa Bay Lightning history, NHL interviews, hockey podcasts, and stories of perseverance in professional hockey, this episode is for you.

For more information on the Dayton Ice Arena and the programs offered, please visit:
https://daytonaicearena.com/

To follow the University of Vermont men's hockey program, click the link below:
https://uvmathletics.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey

#TampaBayLightning #GoBolts #StanleyCup #TBLightning #Liiga #GoCatsGo #UVM

The latest episode of Backchecking the Bolts is here! We break down everything surrounding the Tampa Bay Lightning as the offseason heats up.

🔥 Topics covered in this episode:
🏒 How the Charlie Coyle signing could reshape the NHL free agent market
⭐ Deep dive into Lightning prospects: Connor Geekie, Sam O'Reilly, and Benjamin Rautiainen
⚡ What Tampa Bay’s roster looks like heading into NHL Free Agency
🥅 Our thoughts on the intense Montreal vs Buffalo Game 7 matchup

Which prospects could make an impact sooner than expected? And what does the Coyle deal mean for the rest of the NHL market?

#TampaBayLightning #NHL #GoBolts #TBL #TBLightning #StanleyCUpPlayoffs

The latest episode of Backchecking the Bolts is here!

On this episode, we break down the finalists for the NHL’s biggest awards, including the Hart Memorial Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Norris Trophy, Calder Memorial Trophy, Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, and more.

Then we're joined by Jonah Ahrens from The Sabres Report Podcast to break down the incredible season by the Buffalo Sabres, what fueled their turnaround, and how Buffalo matches up in their second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Follow Jonah & The Sabres Report Podcast:

YouTube: The Sabre Report - YouTube

Facebook: Facebook

X (Jonah Ahrens): Jonah Ahrens (@TSR_Jonah) / X

#NHL #BuffaloSabres #LetsGoBuffalo #MontrealCanadiens #NHLAwards #StanleyCupPlayoffs #TampaBayLightning #GoHabsGo #GoBolts

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s playoff run comes to an end as we break down the full first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens on this episode of Backchecking the Bolts.

Joining the show is Jared Book from Habs Eyes on the Prize (www.https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/), who gives the Montreal perspective on what decided the series, the biggest turning points, standout performances, coaching decisions, and what went wrong for Tampa Bay.

We also look ahead to the Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres second-round playoff matchup, as Jared shares his thoughts on key storylines, matchups to watch, X-factors, and whether Montreal has what it takes to keep their Stanley Cup run alive.

Subscribe to Backchecking the Bolts for Lightning analysis, NHL playoff coverage, interviews, and hockey debate.

Habs Eyes on the Prize:
Facebook: (1) Facebook
Instagram: (1) Instagram

#TampaBayLightning #MontrealCanadiens #NHLPlayoffs #GoBolts #GoHabsGo #GoSabres #StanleyCupPlayoffs #Habs #TBL

Relive the Tampa Bay Lightning’s heartbreaking season-ending Game 7 loss as Jason Linkes and Justin Godfrey break down the Bolts’ 2-1 defeat to the Montreal Canadiens in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On this episode of Backchecking the Bolts, we analyze what went wrong for the Tampa Bay Lightning, key turning points from Game 7, standout performances, missed opportunities, and what this early playoff exit means for the future of the franchise.

We also shift our focus to the NHL postseason and preview the second round matchups, as Jason Linkes and Justin Godfrey make their Stanley Cup Playoff predictions and discuss which teams have the best path to the Finals.

🏒 Topics in this episode:
• Lightning vs Canadiens Game 7 recap
• Biggest reasons Tampa Bay was eliminated
• Key players and turning points
• Offseason questions facing the Lightning
• Second Round NHL Playoff predictions

Subscribe to Backchecking the Bolts for weekly NHL analysis, Tampa Bay Lightning news, playoff coverage, and offseason breakdowns.

#GoBolts #TampaBayLightning #GoHabsGo #Habs #TBL #TBLightning #StanleyCupPlayoffs #NHL

Tampa stays alive! The Tampa Bay Lightning shut out the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in overtime in Game 6, sending this playoff series to an epic Game 7 in Tampa.

On this episode of Backchecking the Bolts, we recap the overtime winner, defensive masterclass, clutch saves, and biggest turning points from the game. We also break down the NHL Award finalists and take a look at the rest of the National Hockey League playoff bracket.

Please like and subscribe to the Backchecking the Bolts YouTube channel: / @backcheckingthebolts

For all of our social media outlets, use Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/backcheckingthebolts

#GoHabsGo #GoBolts #TBL #TampaBayLightning #MontrealCanadiens #Game7 #NHLPlayoffs

The Tampa Bay Lightning are on the brink.

After a tough 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5, the Lightning now trail the series 3-2 in this best-of-seven matchup. We break down what went wrong, missed opportunities, and what Tampa Bay needs to do to force a Game 7.

We’re also joined by Wesley Lawrence from Defending Big D to dive into the Western Conference — including a full breakdown of the Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars series and key storylines across the West.

⚡ Lightning vs Canadiens Game 5 recap
🏒 What’s going wrong for Tampa Bay
🔥 Keys to Game 6 and staying alive
⭐ Wesley Lawrence joins the show
🌵 Wild vs Stars breakdown
📊 Western Conference playoff analysis

🎙 Backchecking the Bolts — Your home for Tampa Bay Lightning coverage

#GoBolts #TBL #tampabaylightning #tblightning #NHLplayoffs #DallasStars #MinnesotaWild #GoHabsGo #MontrealCanadiens

For ways to follow Wesley Lawrence & Defending Big D:

Bleav podcast network: https://bleav.com/shows/stargazing-a-dallas-stars-podcast-defending-big-d/

Defendingbigd.com

Bluesky

- wes-lawrence.bsky.social (wes)

- hitzicestat.bsky.social (mark, my co-host)

- ketibbetts.bsky.social (kt, our producer)

Twitter

- @wesalawrence

- @defendingbigd.com