Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
When a superstar forward goes an entire seven-game series without a goal, the pressure usually makes them collapse. Steven Stamkos is one of the best pure goal scorers this league has ever seen. The fact that the Tampa Bay Lightning were able to beat the Detroit Red Wings without Stamkos lighting the lamp is amazing.
The Lightning are full of young talent, but Stamkos is the main guy. He is the one everyone looks to when they need a goal. It didn’t happen that way in the first round, however.
He was second of the team with 22 shots, only behind Alex Killorn. Thanks to guys like Tyler Johnson stepping up, the pressure is off of Stamkos. This offense can get goals from a number of players. Despite their captain going scoreless, 11 different players scored for the Lightning.
Now that the pressure is off, Stamkos can truly focus. He was insane against the Montreal Canadiens this season. He scored five goals and tallied two assists against Carey Price and their rivals from above the border. He can rebuild his confidence taking on the best goalie in the league.
If the Lightning can pull off the upset against the Canadiens, nobody would care who scored what and how it happened. The only thing that matters at this point in the season is winning. If the Lightning can win without Stamkos scoring, he will be just as happy as if they win and he scores hat tricks every night.
Stamkos will score a goal in this series. He is too good a talent to go on a scoreless streak for longer than he already has. Price will have fits taking on this offense, especially once Stamkos starts getting hot.
Nick Villano is the NHL feature writer for Rant Sports. He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.
