TAMPA, FL - Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores on the power play against goalie Arvid Soderblom of the Chicago Blackhawks at Benchmark International Arena on November 5, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

The 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning tied what was the mark for most wins in a season with 62. Yet, they did not accomplish what the 2026-27 club has.

The 2003-04 Stanley Cup champs that hold the franchise mark fewest goals allowed per game? Nope. John Tortorella’s group did not do what the current Bolts have managed to.

The 2002-03 Lightning the standard until this year’s team bumped it down a notch.

Indeed, the 2026-27 Lightning are a perfect 8-for-8 on home ice, which is the best start to any of their 34 seasons at 401 Channelside Drive. The 2002-03 team went 7-0-1 for 15 out of possible 16 points at home before losing three straight.

While winning of eight of eight at any time and any place is impressive, what stands out is how they Lightning are getting it done at Benchmark International Arena. They have outscored the opposition 32-16 in the eight games, including a 4-1 win against the Blackhawks on Thursday evening. That’s exactly four goals per game. Hence, job well done in that category.

Averaging four goals per game with Andrei Vasilevskiy securing the fort at the other end and a defense that includes future Hall of Famers Victor Hedman and John Carlson can only lead to good things. Indeed, Jon Cooper’s team has allowed only 16 goals in the eight games, or exactly two per contest.

Not that each of the eight victories were created equal. A 4-2 win over Detroit on Tuesday night began as a men-among-boys disgrace to the visiting Red Wings given the Lightning had a ridiculous 50-15 advantage in shot attempts at one point. Yet, Tampa Bay’s 3-0 lead in the second period dwindled to 3-2 in the third with Todd McLellan’s squad whiffing at one 10-bell opportunity after another to tie the game and perhaps leave Tampa with two points after having played a couple of hundred miles south in Sunrise the night before.

Thursday’s 4-1 win over Chicago, which also played in the Panthers’ den the previous evening, opened in identical fashion with the Lightning holding a 10-0 lead in shot attempts several minutes in. Domination in the faceoff circle – 70 percent through much of the first 45 minutes – was notable, though it was in part a byproduct of Tampa Bay’s habit of icing the puck a good number of times. Regardless, a 2-0 lead after one period remained a 2-0 lead after two periods and swelled to 4-0 in the third.

“We had the 2-0 lead, and we talked about it after the second period that if we get the third one, we’re looking pretty good,” said Cooper. “If they get the next one, the game is in the balance. We were fortunate enough to get that third one and tacked another.”

A late goal (19:11) by the Blackhawks’ impressive rookie, Roman Kantserov, prevented Vasilevskiy from recording his 43^rd career shutout to tie Gump Worsley and Craig Anderson on the NHL’s all-time list. Regardless, it was a thorough victory that saw the defense more than chip in.

Victor Hedman opened the scoring with his first power play goal since the end of the 2024-25 season and Erik Cernak the recorded 98^th and 99^th assists of his career in the win. Having Hedman contribute on the man advantage – and the way he did it cruising down the middle -- was like a bonus, though his presence could continue to be felt with the unit as the season progresses.

“It’s nice to be able to put different guys on the power play and make it work,” said Cooper. “I thought Victor looked strong. He was skating out there. It was a fantastic rush on his part, a great read, and I thought that kind of propelled him through the rest of the game.”

Hedman would like to continue to help the cause.

“I think I could still bring a lot to the table on special teams, PK and PP,” said the soon-to-be 36-year-old (December 18) who heads into Saturday evening’s game at Minnesota with 36 career power play goals.

The Lightning’s opportunity to extend their club record home win streak from the start of a season to nine will come next Saturday evening against the Red Wings, who waste little time in returning to Tampa. For the record, the Bolts’ best nine-game start to a home slate was the pandemic-shortened and travel-altered 2020-21 season (played entirely in 2021) when the Bolts went 8-1-0. The Stanley Cup champs extended their impressive mark at home to 10-1-0 on their way finishing 21-7-0 at what was then Amalie Arena.