National Post (National Edition)
With elusive goal, Stamkos puts drought in the past
TA M PA , F L A . • Steven Stamkos did the little things for the Tampa Bay Lightning in their first eight playoff games. He just didn’t score.
Stamkos finally got his first goal Sunday night in Game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens, and based on the chances he had been getting is poised to make that the first of many in the near future.
“If we want to do damage, he’s going to have to lead the way,” centre Brian Boyle said. “He puts all the pressure on himself to score. It doesn’t matter how well he’s doing all the other things.”
The Lightning got past the Detroit Red Wings in seven games because 11 different players scored, led by Tyler Johnson with six goals. Tampa Bay’s offensive depth and winning made it easier for Stamkos to stomach his drought, but he still didn’t feel right.
Like many elite scorers, Stamkos is at his best when he’s putting the puck in the net.
“When you’re pressing, you’re certainly not as comfortable and confident on the ice as you are when things are going well,” Stamkos said Wednesday. “When things aren’t going well and you get a break to go your way, all of a sudden, your legs feel a little lighter, you feel a little more confident with the puck.”
Finally rewarded, Stamkos felt a burden lift. That feeling carried to the rest of the team.
“He scores, you can see a whole lift on the bench,” winger Ryan Callahan said. “He’s so good for us, and you can see when he scores how much everybody feeds off that and the energy that gives us.”