The Lightning’s 3-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night was disappointing in a number of ways. Tampa got off to a slow start which was in sharp contrast to their absolute dominance of Buffalo two days before. Scoring chances were coming but it took until late in the third period to break through with a goal. When the Bolts are at their best it can look like a shooting gallery in the offensive zone. They struggle when their best players resort to passing in an effort to make a pretty play. The first instinct should be to put the puck on net and players like Steven Stamkos should lead the charge to do so. (Photo and Feature Box Photo/Christine Gunn)
On the surface there doesn’t seem to be any issues with Tampa Bay’s approach to offensive production. They lead the league in goals scored, averaging 3.46 goals per game. There’s a disconnection between those goals and the shots being taken. Tampa Bay is 19th overall when it comes to shots on goal in the 2014-15 season. They have taken 832 shots so far and are averaging 29.7 shots a game. Contrast that with Chicago who has the most shots per game in the league. The Blackhawks have taken 967 total shots and about 35.8 a game. For a team that is as prolific when it comes to scoring this trend is puzzling.
Steven Stamkos certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to scoring ability. He is currently fourth in the NHL with 16 goals scored. The production is there but his shot total is flagging in comparison to other players on his level. Alex Ovechkin has recorded the most shots on goal in the league to this point with 112 and he has 12 goals. Tyler Seguin leads the league with 21 goals scored and he has registered 107 SOG. Stamkos has recorded 90 SOG so far.
Coach Jon Cooper has expressed that he would like to see some of his players shoot more often. He specifically stated he would like to see Stamkos be more selfish when it comes to scoring chances and for good reason. He often plays his best when he is putting the puck on net more. In Saturday’s loss he had just three shots on goal. It’s great that he wants to share the wealth with his teammates, but he should pull the trigger more.
Steven Stamkos is an extremely gifted hockey player. He routinely does things that drop our jaws in amazement and has worked incredibly hard to round out his game defensively. He’s on the top line and sees more ice time than any of the other forwards. Beyond that he is the captain of the team and if he takes on a “shoot first” mentality then it will trickle down to the other lines. When Stamkos succeeds the Lightning flourish and it’s very hard to imagine anyone stopping this team when Stammer is in the zone.
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