Lightning Round: Steven Stamkos claims another franchise record

On October 28th, 2008, Steven Stamkos picked up a secondary assist on Vincent Lecavalier’s power play goal in Toronto. It was the first point of Stamkos’ career, and also the first power play point for the 18-year-old center. Now, more than twelve years and 300 power play points later, Steven Stamkos holds the franchise record for most points recorded with the extra skater. His 301 (158 goals, 143 assists) tops the marks set by Martin St. Louis (300) and Lecavalier (297).

He is now the franchise leader in five major offensive categories:

Goals - 426

Even Strength Goals - 263

Power Play Goals - 158

Power Play Points - 301

Hat Tricks - 9

He’s still a few seasons away from topping the assists leader board (174 behind St. Louis) and points (114 behind St. Louis) but he does have a good chance of catching St. Louis in the game-winning goal category this season as he trails the hall of famer 64-62.

Stamkos took the achievement in stride, telling reporters after the game that,

“These ones you don’t really know, to be honest. until they put it up on the scoreboard during the game and the guys start congratulating you.”

He did recognize what an honor it was to have his name among some legends in Lightning history and what he learned as a young player by lining up with them,

“Any time you’re up there with Marty or Vinny in the record books here in Tampa that means I’ve been here a long time and been fortunate to have a lot of success... We’d be here all night probably if I named everything [that he had learned from St. Louis]...just how to be a professional and then how to adapt as a player. If you want to be elite in this league you have to do it consistently, which he obviously was, and just kind of knowing where to go on the ice without the puck. That was something that he really taught me at a young age.”

By the time he’s done playing, hopefully many years and at least one more Stanley Cup from now, he will own pretty much all of the offensive records in Lightning history and his number will sway in the rafters.

Lightning Links:

Stamkos had an assist to go along with his power play goal in the Bolt’s 5-2 victory against the Nashville Predators on Monday night. It was his third multi-point game of the young season.

Some random facts from the game as provided by the Lightning PR staff:

• Andrei Vasilevskiy has started 33 straight games (including the playoffs) and has been on the ice for every minute (barring a few where he was pulled for an extra attacker).
• Monday’s game was the first time this season the Lightning have been outshot by an opponent (27-26) and the first time they haven’t recorded at least 32 shots on goal in a game.
• Mikhail Sergachev had assist in the game, giving him three in his last two games and ranking him 33rd all-time in points scored in franchise history. #MikhailMilestone
• The Lightning are 4-0 at home to start the season, the sixth time in franchise history that they have started with at least four wins. The longest home winning streak to start a season was in 2017-18 when they won their first six games.

Things aren’t quite as rosy when viewed from the Nashville side of things. [On the Forecheck]

OTFs Three Stars of the Game

Eeli Tolvanen—Scored his first goal of the season, gave Predators fans a light at the end of the tunnel.

Mikael Granlund—Made me naïvely think we maybe had a chance for a minute there.

There is no third star. This game was bad.

The Lightning Community hero for the game was a familiar face - Joe Maddon. The former Tampa Bay Rays manager and his wife Jaye will donate the $50,000 to a variety of charities in the local area including the Homeless Empowerment Program and the Gathering of Women Food Pantry. [95.3 WDAE]

Maddon fully embraced the Tampa Bay community ever since he was hired as the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2006 and continues to do so even though he currently manages the Los Angeles Angels. Over the past 14 holiday seasons, Maddon has partnered with local non-profits to host “Thanksmas,” personally cooking, serving and delivering delicious meals for thousands around the Tampa Bay Area.

The Lightning, the Identity Tampa Bay, and the Vinik Sports Group announced a month-long list of initiatives celebrating African American history. The initiatives are split into four, week-long sections comprised of: Black History Launch Week, Foundation Programs, Education & Community Hockey, and Looking Forward. [Tampa Bay Lightning]

These elements include a variety of activations, including digital and social media, live events, community outreach, financial grants and more.

Hockey News:

There is a fan vote portion for the Hobey Baker Award, an honor that recognizes the best collegiate hockey player in the country. On Monday, the initial list of 50 players was released for fans to cast their vote. Two Lightning prospects, Nick Perbix and Cole Koepke, made the list. Vote early, vote often. [Hobey Baker]

When voting for the Hobey Baker Award, please make sure to keep in mind the qualities that a nominee must display: Exhibit strength and character, both on and off the ice; Contribute to the integrity of the team; Display outstanding skills in all phases of the game; Show scholastic achievement and sportsmanship.

The AHL players have agreed to the modifications to the CBA that the league presented a few days ago. While the Board of Governors still has to approve the changes, it looks like most of the teams should start their season on February 5th. Well, unless they’re based in Canada where they will start “at a later date”. [Sportsnet]

The New Jersey Devils are the latest team that has to postpone games due to players being on the COVID protocol list. They currently have ten players on the list and will be postponing their next three games. [ESPN]

The NHL announced that four additional players were added to the Devils’ COVID-19 list on Monday. The list currently includes goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, who hasn’t played since Jan. 19; as well as forwards Andreas Johnsson, Janne Kuokkanen, Michael McLeod, Kyle Palmieri, Pavel Zacha and Travis Zajac.

Also listed are goalie Aaron Dell, defenseman Sami Vatanen (travel quarantine) and defenseman Connor Carrick, who left the team to be with his wife, Lexi, for the birth of their first child.

Now...for a palate cleanser: Pandas + Snow = unbearable cuteness