The hopes are high for the Lightning to make a run deep into the playoffs. However the argument has been made that this Lightning squad is a one trick pony. To borrow a line from the Jodie Foster classic “Freaky Friday” “Get Annabel Andrews and get her good”. If teams can isolate and stop Steven Stamkos then they are bound for success against this one man parade called the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Photos/Susan Ferlita)
Not True.
The statistics from the past few years tell a different story. This team relies on more than just its captain. Since the start of the 2012-13 season, when Steven Stamkos scores a goal, the Lightning’s record is 29-14-3. This year he has been involved in 31% (13/42) of the teams goals which ranks him 55th in the league, behind teammate Tyler Johnson at 33.3% (14/42).
Anyone who watched the annihilation of the “Desert Dogs” last week will take note that Stamkos’ name only appeared once on the final box score. The impressive hat trick from Nikita Kucherov led to a 7-3 victory as the Bolts returned to home ice after the long western swing.
The line of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Kucherov was thrown together due to injuries, but has been generating the secondary scoring that the team needs. Johnson currently leads the team in points with 1 goal and 13 assists, Kucherov is third on the team with five goals and six assists and Palat is sixth on the team with four goals and four assists. The line makes up a total of ten goals and 23 assists on a team that has scored 42 goals so far this season. In the Tampa Bay Times article dated November 2 by Joe Smith, he dubbed the line the “Triplets”. Coach Cooper said the line, “… sort of has that perfect mix of speed and skill.”
High praise has been earned by GM Steve Yzerman for his moves through free agent signings such as Brian Boyle whose six points on the year has exceeded expectations. Drafting Jonathan Drouin was without a doubt, the right move and his highlight reel career is just now starting to take shape. These moves and a host of others, makes this team one to be reckoned with.
Lightning fans love Steven Stamkos and appreciate his outstanding contributions on the ice. The first overall draft pick from 2008 continues to turn heads and fill the record books. He was awarded the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for the second time in 2012-2013 and was nominated for the Masterton Trophy the following year. But, the Bolts are currently second in the Eastern Conference and Stamkos is not even in the top ten scorers in the NHL.
With only nine players earning a minus ranking and no one worse than a -3, the offensive skill is prevalent on every line. Stamkos is arguably the best player in the NHL right now, but even if opposing squads are able to keep him off the score sheet for a night, the Lightning have other offensive weapons to still earn two points. The secondary scoring and depth the Bolts have displayed will surely make them a contender down the stretch.
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