Tampa Bay Lightning hockey news: Nikita Kucherov drives MVP race, Victor Hedman steps away, Darren Raddysh raises his stake.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are winning games—but are they ready for the playoffs? In this episode of Hockey on the Beach, Daria Mironova and Ken Filler break down a crucial stretch of the season. From defensive breakdowns and questionable overphysical play to the balance between toughness and skill, the podcast hosts dive into what’s really going on behind the scenes—and why it matters now more than ever. 🏒 Topics include: The recent games against the Minnesota Wild and Seattle Kraken Nikita Kucherov’s MVP case—and the controversy surrounding it Victor Hedman’s absence and what it means for the team The breakout season and contract dilemma of Darren Raddysh How new ownership may already be changing the Lightning’s culture USF basketball welcomes new head coach More sports updates and news on IG @hockeyonthebeach tampabaysportsjournal.com