Amid a 3-3 start to the season this year for the Tampa Bay Lightning, the hot start of Steven Stamkos and the performance of the Lightning power play have been two of the bright spots in their game.
Stamkos has long been one of the great power play threats in the NHL’s history and this year has been no exception.
In six games this season, Stamkos already has seven goals. Five of those have come on the man advantage as the Lightning power play has connected seven times in six games.
It’s Stammer Time in Tampa Bay.⏰
7 goals in 6 games for Steven Stamkos.🔥🔥@TBLightning | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/ByA1BwrttV
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) October 24, 2022
Stamkos has five of those power play goals, and he is driving the bus early on as the Lightning power play currently ranks first in the Eastern Conference at 28%.
Power plays will go hot and cold all the time. That is just the nature of an 82-game regular season.
The positive from this is despite an up and down start to the season for the Lightning, having their power play clicking is a crucial bright spot. Because even on nights where you may not really have your game, the power play can help you get back into and stay in games.
Even with the Lightning power play unit searching for somebody to take a permanent role in front of the net, Stamkos’ one-timer has been a constant through it all. They have given looks for Vlad Namestnikov down low as well as Alex Killorn who has been the fixture in this spot.
Regardless of some of the other bodies coming in and out of this group, the Stamkos one-timer will always be a top option for this power play, and it is even more remarkable considering that everybody else knows it too.
