Sports Magic Numbers @SportsMagicNum
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Tampa Bay Lightning (TBL)

Eastern – Atlantic • Record: 3-1-0 (PTS 6)
Race:

Seed Holding Atlantic #2 — trying to stay ahead of Florida Panthers (next in Atlantic)
Numbers Magic path: chasing wild card — 9 rivals contending for 2 spots
Magic # 159
Tragic # 162
Playoff odds 72.8%
Top 3 in division 59.3% • Wild card 13.6% • Division title 23.8%
Full league odds →
Magic counts down to clinching — drops as you gain points or bubble teams lose.
Tragic counts down to elimination — drops as you lose or the chaser gains points.

Tonight’s rooting guide


Live rooting guide — it updates as games go final, so items may disappear.
Showing remaining games that can still affect your numbers.
Your game
  • If Tampa Bay Lightning beat New York Islanders in regulation tonight, your Magic number -2.
    Magic -2
  • If Tampa Bay Lightning beat New York Islanders in OT/SO tonight, your Magic number -2.
    Magic -2
  • If Tampa Bay Lightning lose to New York Islanders in regulation tonight, your Tragic number -3.
    Tragic -3
  • If Tampa Bay Lightning lose to New York Islanders in OT/SO tonight, your Magic number -1 and your Tragic number -2.
    Magic -1Tragic -2

What-if explorer

Drag the sliders — the numbers recalculate instantly using the site's real playoff math.
If Tampa Bay Lightning go 8-2-0 while Florida Panthers go 5-5:
Magic # 159 → 141Magic -18 Tragic # 162 → 158Tragic -4
Assumes these games come against teams outside your race; every other rival's record stays as-is.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Tampa Bay Lightning magic number right now?

The Tampa Bay Lightning magic number is currently 159. Any combination of Tampa Bay Lightning points and losses by the team chasing them that adds up to 159 clinches a playoff spot.

What is the Tampa Bay Lightning tragic number?

The Tampa Bay Lightning tragic number is 162. When it hits 0 the team is mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. It shrinks when the Tampa Bay Lightning lose or when the team chasing them gains ground.

What are the Tampa Bay Lightning playoff odds?

Based on 10,000 simulations of the remaining schedule, the Tampa Bay Lightning make the playoffs in about 72.8% of outcomes.

What is a magic number in hockey?

A magic number is the combined total of points a team must earn (and its closest chaser must fail to earn) to guarantee a playoff spot. In the NHL it counts standings points, since wins are worth 2 points and overtime losses 1.

When did the Tampa Bay Lightning last make the playoffs?

The Tampa Bay Lightning last made the NHL playoffs in 2025-26 — the most recently completed season.

When did the Tampa Bay Lightning last win the Stanley Cup?

The Tampa Bay Lightning have won 3 Stanley Cup titles, most recently in 2020-21.

How often are these numbers updated?

Standings and magic numbers on Sports Magic Numbers refresh throughout the day and after every NHL game, so the numbers here reflect the live playoff race.

Full guide: how magic numbers work →