The Last Call - Tampa Bay Lightning Postgame Show

The Last Call Postgame Show, presented by Jack Daniels, breaks down the latest Tampa Bay Lightning game, gives you Head Coach Jon Cooper's postgame comments and looks ahead to the next game.

  1. 17h ago

    Lightning Let One Get Away in Nashville But Salvage A Point | Last Call - October 31, 2026

    The Tampa Bay Lightning picked up a point but couldn't hold onto three separate leads, falling 5-4 in a shootout to the Nashville Predators. In a game filled with momentum swings, Connor Geekie continued his breakout season with another goal, Nikita Kucherov recorded three points, and Victor Hedman added a goal of his own. But it was former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos who delivered the decisive blow, tying the game on a third-period power play before scoring the lone goal of the shootout. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli, Jay Recher, and Bobby "The Chief" Taylor break down a frustrating afternoon that saw Tampa Bay's defensive structure unravel at key moments. The crew discusses the Lightning's struggles defending odd-man rushes, missed opportunities on the power play, and whether Connor Geekie deserves a larger role in the top six after scoring goals in three consecutive games. Plus, hear postgame comments from Jon Cooper, Victor Hedman, Brayden Point, and John Carlson as the Lightning look to tighten things up defensively and turn their attention to Tuesday night's matchup with the Detroit Red Wings. Topics & Timestamps 0:36 – Opening reaction to the Lightning's 5-4 shootout loss and Steven Stamkos' game-tying goal and shootout winner 1:24 – Why the Lightning should feel fortunate to leave Nashville with a point after an uncharacteristically sloppy game 2:03 – The Chief questions Tampa Bay's shootout decisions and the absence of Nikita Kucherov and Connor Geekie from the attempts 2:42 – Jon Cooper explains the breakdowns that led to Nashville erasing three Lightning leads 4:16 – Cooper praises Nikita Kucherov's effort after his three-point performance 5:59 – Defensive concerns become the focus after Tampa Bay allows too many odd-man rushes and high-danger chances 7:05 – Discussion on Connor Geekie's continued growth and why he may be ready for a top-six opportunity 9:24 – Where does Geekie fit best? Debate over potential combinations with Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, Anthony Cirelli, and Brandon Hagel 11:33 – Victor Hedman discusses the odd-man rushes that hurt the Lightning and what must improve defensively 12:14 – Hedman reacts to the news surrounding Nikita Kucherov and the challenge of blocking out outside distractions 15:00 – Brayden Point on the team's inability to protect leads and the need to close out games more effectively 16:55 – Why players and coaches expect to continue facing questions about the Nikita Kucherov situation throughout the season 18:11 – Replay and analysis of Connor Geekie's go-ahead goal in the third period 18:50 – John Carlson evaluates the defensive-zone mistakes and rise in odd-man rushes allowed over the last several games 20:15 – Carlson discusses maintaining focus amid outside storylines and staying locked in on hockey 20:56 – Lessons Tampa Bay must learn from surrendering three separate leads in Nashville 22:06 – Looking ahead to Tuesday night's home matchup against the Detroit Red Wings 22:52 – Final thoughts as the Lightning return home after a frustrating shootout defeat See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 2d ago

    Holmberg’s Four-Point Night Powers Lightning Past Jets in Wild 6-4 Win | Last Call - October 29, 2026

    The Tampa Bay Lightning returned home from their road trip and exploded for six goals in a 6-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, powered by a career night from Pontus Holmberg. Holmberg recorded four points, including the empty-net goal that sealed the win, while the Lightning erupted for four goals in the second period to take control before surviving a late Winnipeg push. On Last Call Presented by Jack Daniel's, Greg Linnelli, JP Peterson, and Brian Engblom break down the Lightning's dominant second period, another strong performance from Andrei Vasilevskiy, and the impact of Holmberg's promotion alongside Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel. The crew also discusses how Tampa Bay's evolving line combinations are creating new opportunities throughout the lineup and why Holmberg is showing there's more offensive upside to his game than many expected. Hear postgame comments from Pontus Holmberg, Jon Cooper, and Brandon Hagel as the Lightning improve their perfect home record and prepare for Saturday's matchup with the Nashville Predators and former captain Steven Stamkos. Topics & Timestamps 0:40 – Opening reaction to the Lightning's 6-4 win and Pontus Holmberg's four-point night 1:52 – How Andrei Vasilevskiy kept Tampa Bay in the game during a shaky first period 3:24 – Breaking down the three distinct periods and the momentum swings throughout the game 5:15 – Brayden Point gets back on the scoresheet and the power play finds success again 7:14 – Why Tampa Bay's strong starts continue to be a major early-season trend 8:50 – Key turning points: Vasilevskiy's penalty-kill save, Connor Geekie's goal, and the hit by Charles-Edouard D'Astous that helped spark the offense 10:00 – Pontus Holmberg discusses his four-point performance and chemistry with his new linemates 11:56 – Brian Engblom explains why players can lose their offensive mindset after settling into defensive roles in the NHL 15:35 – How injuries and lineup changes opened the door for Holmberg's breakout night 17:19 – Dominic James' return to the lineup and his setup on Connor Geekie's goal 19:00 – Jon Cooper evaluates the win, Holmberg's performance, and the sloppy third period 20:56 – Cooper explains why Holmberg fit so well alongside Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel 22:39 – Cooper on Dominic James' development and his ability to transport the puck through the neutral zone 23:22 – Discussion on the value of lineup flexibility and constantly evolving forward combinations 25:42 – Fan question: Evaluating the Lightning's defensive pairings and seven-defenseman rotation 27:06 – Why J.J. Moser, John Carlson, Victor Hedman, and Erik Cernak make Tampa Bay's blue line so versatile 28:31 – The Lightning honor Nikita Kucherov's franchise scoring record, and Kucherov reacts in classic fashion 29:15 – Brandon Hagel on Holmberg's growth, offensive potential, and importance to the team 31:18 – How Holmberg's emergence allows Jake Guentzel to move throughout the lineup and gives Jon Cooper additional options 32:48 – Looking ahead to Saturday's matchup against the Nashville Predators and a reunion with Steven Stamkos 33:01 – Final thoughts as the Lightning improve their home record and continue their strong start to the season See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Oct 25

    Kucherov Makes History, But Lightning Let Two-Goal Lead Slip Away in 5-4 OT Loss | Last Call - October 24, 2026

    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.

  4. Oct 24

    Avalanche Capitalize on Costly Mistakes, Hand Lightning a 6-3 Loss | Last Call - October 23, 2026

    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.

  5. Oct 21

    Nikita Kucherov Ties Stammer's Record as Lightning Roll Past Golden Knights 6-2 | Last Call - October 20, 2026

    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.

  6. Oct 18

    Nikita Kucherov's Two Goals Fuel Lightning Comeback in 4-2 Win Over Canucks | Last Call - October 17, 2026

    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.

  7. Oct 16

    Vintage Hedman - Captain Delivers OT Winner as Lightning Beat Kraken 4-3 | Last Call - October 15, 2026

    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.

  8. Oct 14

    Rangers Stifle Lightning Again as Tampa Bay Falls 4-1 at MSG | Last Call - October 13, 2026

    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.

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The Last Call Postgame Show, presented by Jack Daniels, breaks down the latest Tampa Bay Lightning game, gives you Head Coach Jon Cooper's postgame comments and looks ahead to the next game.

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