Backchecking the Bolts

The 2026-27 Tampa Bay Lightning season is here! The Bolts open the regular season Thursday night in New York against the New York Rangers , and Backchecking the Bolts gets you ready for Opening Night. Raw Charge Managing Editor Justin Godfrey and Jason Linkes break down the biggest questions surrounding the Lightning as Tampa Bay begins another run at the Stanley Cup. ⚡ On this episode: 🔥 Justin...

What does it take to go from Minnesota high school hockey to becoming a Stanley Cup Champion? Former Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ben Clymer joins Jason Linkes and Justin Godfrey on Backchecking the Bolts for an exclusive interview about his remarkable hockey journey, winning the 2004 Stanley Cup, and building a successful career after the NHL. Growing up in Bloomington, Minnesota, Clymer develo...

The Tampa Bay Lightning are getting closer to the 2026-27 NHL season, and on this episode of Backchecking the Bolts , we break down some of the biggest questions surrounding the Bolts as training camp approaches. We start with the Lightning Prospect Tournament in Raleigh, September 13-15 . Which Tampa Bay prospects have the most to gain, and which players need to make an impression if they want to...

The Tampa Bay Lightning are heading toward training camp with some major questions , and on this episode of Backchecking the Bolts , we break down the biggest storylines surrounding the Bolts and the NHL. What will the Lightning do with Nikita Kucherov’s next contract , and what does the future hold for Jonas Johansson ? With training camp approaching, we discuss the contract situations Tampa Bay...

What makes the Syracuse Crunch and Tampa Bay Lightning partnership one of the best in the AHL? We go behind the scenes with Lukas Favale, the voice of the Syracuse Crunch , to take a deep dive into the Crunch's 2025-26 season and the players who could be part of Tampa Bay's future. Lukas joins Backchecking the Bolts to recap Syracuse's season, discuss why the long-running Lightning–Crunch affiliat...

The NHL continues to explore expansion opportunities—but could Houston become the league's 33rd franchise? In this episode of Backchecking the Bolts , host Jason Linkes is joined by Matt Savage from the Mission Control: Houston Hockey Podcast to discuss one of hockey's hottest topics. 🏒 Topics include: Why Houston is considered a leading NHL expansion candidate Why the NHL values Houston as one o...

Are the Tampa Bay Lightning actually better on paper heading into the new NHL season? On this episode of Backchecking the Bolts , we take an in-depth look at the Lightning's offseason roster changes and whether they've improved enough to contend for another Stanley Cup. We also tackle one of the biggest questions facing Tampa Bay: Could the Lightning survive a long-term injury to Andrei Vasilevski...

How much of an advantage do NHL teams in Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Nevada, and other no state income tax states really have under the NHL salary cap? In this episode of Backchecking the Bolts , host Jason Linkes sits down with renowned sports economist Victor Matheson , Professor of Economics at Holy Cross, to break down one of hockey's most debated topics. Does the salary cap truly create compet...

The Tampa Bay Lightning made two intriguing additions this offseason in John Carlson and Jeffrey Viel , but what should Lightning fans realistically expect? On this episode of Backchecking the Bolts , host Jason Linkes is joined by Patrick Present , Team Editor and Reporter covering the Anaheim Ducks for The Hockey News , to break down both of Tampa Bay's newest players and discuss the biggest sto...

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been busy during NHL free agency, and we're breaking down everything you need to know on this episode of Backchecking the Bolts . 🏒 In this episode: * Complete breakdown of the Lightning's free agent signings Which players left Tampa Bay and how those departures impact the roster * The biggest signings from around the NHL and which teams improved the most * What these...

On this episode of Backchecking the Bolts , Jason and Justin break down the latest NHL Trade Frenzy as teams make major moves before the NHL Entry Draft. 🏒 Topics on this episode: ⚡ Darren Raddysh traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs How does Tampa Bay replace a key defenseman? Did the Lightning make the right move? 🦅 Alex Tuch traded to the Washington Capitals Washington adds size, scoring, and a...

Former Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Peter Taglianetti joins Backchecking the Bolts to look back on an incredible hockey journey that stretched from college hockey greatness to the biggest stage in the NHL. Taglianetti was a member of the inaugural 1992-93 Tampa Bay Lightning team and shares stories about playing for an expansion franchise built by Phil Esposito , what the early days of Lightning...

The Tampa Bay Lightning offseason rumors are heating up, and Backchecking the Bolts is breaking it all down! On this episode, Justin brings some big “What Ifs?” from the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2025-26 . Jason and Justin discuss whether Nick Paul could become a trade candidate as the Lightning look at their roster, salary cap situation, and potential moves heading into the 2025-26 NHL season. We di...

On this episode of Backchecking the Bolts , we go north of the border for a deep dive into the future of the Tampa Bay Lightning organization as we are joined by Andrew Merrigan and Justin Born from The Aud Pod , covering the Kitchener Rangers . Andrew and Justin give us an inside look at two of Tampa Bay’s most exciting young prospects — Sam O’Reilly and Jack Pridham — after watching them up clos...

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 ⭐ Benjami...

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...

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 Fre...

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 tu...

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...

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 ea...

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 Ho...

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...

On this episode of Backchecking the Bolts , we break down the Tampa Bay Lightning’s gritty 3-2 Game 4 victory that evened the series at 2-2. We dive into key moments, standout performances, and what changed for Tampa. Plus, we analyze the controversial hit from Max Crozier on Juraj Slafkovský and what it could mean moving forward. Finally, we preview a pivotal Game 5 and what both teams need to do...

The Tampa Bay Lightning fall 3-2 in overtime to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3. We break down what went wrong, key moments that decided the game, and how the Bolts respond moving forward in this playoff series. Then, we’re joined by Bob Grove , a veteran NHL journalist with over 30 years covering the Pittsburgh Penguins and the league , for an exclusive interview. We dive into his insights on to...

The Tampa Bay Lightning take Game 2 in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 overtime win over Montreal! ⚡ In this episode of Backchecking the Bolts , host Jason Linkes is joined by Raw Charge Managing Editor Justin Godfrey to break down everything from Game 2 of this best-of-7 series. We dive into: Tampa Bay’s clutch overtime performance Key plays and standout players in the 3-2 victory What went right fo...