Jake Guentzel just hit a major milestone - his 100th game with the Lightning, where he’s already produced 101 points and proven himself as a perfect fit for a roster still chasing Stanley Cup glory
Last week, Jake Guentzel skated in his 100th game as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s been a winding road for him to get here — traded first from Pittsburgh to Carolina, then moved again 28 games later (17 regular season games, 11 playoff games), after the Hurricanes’ season was ended in the Conference Finals by the Florida Panthers for the second time in three years.
Since joining the Tampa Bay Lightning, he’s found a team that feels like an almost perfect fit. His IQ, patience, and timing have sparked the Lightning offense in ways that were obvious almost from his first shift.
Guentzel’s chemistry with his new teammates didn’t take long to show. He slides into scoring pockets, keeps plays alive and sees the next pass before it develops. It’s the kind of hockey sense that rubs off on a whole roster — and the kind that comes from years beside Sidney Crosby.
Still, it’s important to remember that Guentzel didn’t simply inherit his greatness from Sid. He arrived in Pittsburgh as a mature, driven player, and his breakout role in the Penguins’ 2017 Stanley Cup win showed that he was built for big moments long before he came to Tampa.
A New Dimension to Tampa Bay’s Offense
With Guentzel in the lineup, the Lightning look different — more dynamic, more patient, and more willing to attack the high-percentage areas of the ice. He doesn’t overpower teams; he outsmarts them. He moves defenders out of space, draws coverage to the wrong lane, and threads pucks to open teammates in spots that shouldn’t exist. On the power play or at five-on-five, the common thread is the same: movement, spacing, and giving the puck to the open man.
His first full season in Tampa Bay showed the organization and its fanbase everything they had hoped to see. Guentzel hit 80 points in 80 games, scoring 41 goals and proving he could help carry the scoring load without sacrificing playmaking.
Through his first 100 games as a Bolt, he has put up 101 points — 53 goals, 48 assists, and a +18 rating. For a player of his size, he handles every situation: top-line minutes, special teams, defensive-zone matchups, anything the coaching staff throws at him.
Back to Back Dramatic Games for the Bolts
A season and 20 games into his Lightning career, he already has three hat tricks. His most recent came in his 99th game as a Bolt on Nov. 18, in a 5-0 win over the New Jersey Devils. The moment was partially overshadowed by two of the league’s brightest young stars, Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, both scoring their own hat tricks on the same night. Even wilder, it was the second hat trick of the season for both rookies, making them the only players in the league to reach that mark at the time.
Guentzel’s 100th game with the Lightning was even more dramatic than the ones that came before it. In a star-studded showdown with the Edmonton Oilers, the night felt bigger than the 2–1 score suggested. Both teams traded high-danger chances, both goalies answered with highlight saves, and the intensity spiked when Curtis Douglas and Darnell Nurse dropped the gloves.
Despite significant injuries on Tampa Bay’s blue line — with Erik Cernak, Victor Hedman, and Ryan McDonagh all sidelined — the Lightning held Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to a combined single point in this thrilling comeback win. Somehow game remained a 1-1 tie and went past regulation, where Guentzel ended it in what some fans are calling the wildest sequence of the 2025–26 season so far. I’ll let you decide for yourself (video below).
The Only Goal That Matters for Guentzel
But points aren’t what drives Jake Guentzel. Goals, assists, streaks — they’re part of the job, not the goal. He came to Tampa Bay for one reason and one reason only: to win Stanley Cups. His presence has already elevated the Lightning, adding structure, pace, and urgency to a roster that’s still built to contend.
Yet since their back-to-back Cup titles and final that followed, Tampa Bay has struggled to escape the first round. Is it the Leafs' curse lingering after their six-game loss to Toronto in 2023? Maybe. But Guentzel is here to help the Lightning break it.
He’s here to drag the team back to the boat-parade era, where deep playoff runs were the standard and the Lightning didn’t just talk about championships — they planned routes along the water. One hundred games in, Guentzel looks like the kind of player who can help them get there again.
Mike Macdonald Hails Nick Emmanwori: ‘This is the Kind of Player Who Can Lead the Seahawks to Greatness’
In an emotional display of admiration and respect, Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, couldn’t hide his praise for rookie linebacker Nick Emmanwori after his stunning performance in the team’s latest game. “Nick Emmanwori showed us all what it means to never give up. That kind of performance, that kind of grit, is what defines champions. We’ve all been watching, and the Seahawks fans are right to be excited. This is the kind of player who can lead this team to greatness,” Macdonald said, reflecting on Emmanwori’s impact.
Emmanwori, a standout defensive talent, had a game for the ages, contributing in ways that showcased both his physical prowess and mental toughness. His performance wasn’t just about the stats, though the numbers certainly back him up. It was about the energy he brought to the field and the heart he displayed when the game was on the line.
For Macdonald, Emmanwori’s heroics embody the kind of player he believes can take the Seahawks to the next level. “It’s not always about making the flashy plays,” Macdonald continued. “It’s about consistency, the little things, and the ability to step up when the moment calls for it. Nick did that in spades. Seahawks fans should be thrilled to have him on their side.”
Emmanwori’s impact was felt across the entire team, as he stepped into a leadership role in just his rookie season. With his relentless work ethic and fearlessness on the field, he’s quickly becoming a key figure in the Seahawks’ defense, earning the trust of his coaches and teammates alike. His ability to stay focused in high-pressure situations is exactly the trait that can elevate a team striving for greatness.
As the Seahawks look to solidify their position in the playoff race, Emmanwori’s presence will be crucial. His leadership and commitment to excellence are qualities that can inspire a whole team to rally together and push for higher goals. Macdonald’s endorsement of Emmanwori as a future leader is a testament to his potential and the role he will play in the franchise’s future success.
The Seahawks' defense has already seen tremendous improvement this season, and Emmanwori’s efforts have been a driving force behind that. The team is building a culture of grit, resilience, and accountability, and players like Emmanwori are leading the way. With a coach like Macdonald guiding the defense, and young talents like Emmanwori stepping up, the future looks incredibly bright for Seattle.
Mike Macdonald’s comments are a reflection of the high expectations he has for Emmanwori—and rightly so. The rookie linebacker has already shown that he has the talent and the mentality to lead the Seahawks to greatness. If he continues to perform at this level, it may only be a matter of time before the team reaches the heights they’ve been striving for.
