The Tampa Bay Lightning have pushed themselves to one game from the Stanley Cup finals thanks in large part to their high-scoring Triplets line, led by the talented Tyler Johnson.
But hiding in plain sight has been their captain and cornerstone, Steven Stamkos. For all the focus on Johnson and his linemates, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov, the 25-year-old Stamkos has been involved in nearly every part of the Lightning’s success this postseason.
His significance was again on display Sunday night during the Lightning’s 2-0 victory against the Rangers. After the Rangers dominated the first half of the game, the Lightning, who frustrated the home team at every turn, found the opening they were waiting for.