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Tampa Bay Lightning 2015-16 NHL Preview

By Josh Hill

Jun 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) celebrates with left wing Ondrej Palat (18) after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period in game two of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) celebrates with left wing Ondrej Palat (18) after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period in game two of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Lightning. 3. player. 23. <p class=. Atlantic. Eastern Conference

Team MVP

Steven Stamkos – C

The heart of the Lightning is Steven Stamkos, and he’s going to be someone that the team leans on in a big way when it comes to finding their way back to the Stanley Cup. The team will live and die with Ben Bishop’s health, but Stamkos will be able to help keep the Bolts on track if injuries start to hit the team hard.

Of course, the last thing Tampa Bay needs is another Stamkos broken leg, but if he can stay healthy he’s going to be an MVP candidate for the Lighting that helps the team surge back to the Stanley Cup — at least, in theory. He’s not someone who can carry the team on his back if the Bolts have to deal with sketchy goaltending in the wake of something bad happening to Bishop, but he might have what it takes to keep things together in the meantime.

Mar 16, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) reacts after he scores on the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) reacts after he scores on the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Case Scenario

The Lightning deserve respect because they went to the Stanley Cup last season, and that’s something that is working in their favor heading into this season. Jon Cooper knows what he’s doing and knows that he has a roster of talent that has the ability to burn through the Eastern Conference and get to a Cup Final.

How wide open the Eastern Conference is this year works well for the Lightning, as they don’t need to be President’s Trophy winners to get well positioned for another deep run. They’re looking to have a fully healthy roster this year, which also points towards the team not missing too many steps as far as being a force to be reckoned with atop the Conference.

Worst Case Scenario

Tampa Bay is really only as good as Ben Bishop will allow them to be, and it’s a tricky prospect to pinpoint just how good he’s going to be on a consistent basis. Beyond wondering about his consistency, Bishop’s health is really what makes him a wild card, and if the Bolts have to look to backups and platoons during the heat of a playoff push, it’s not going to be pretty.

It’s hard to see the Lightning falling out of the postseason picture if things don’t go their way, but entering the playoffs as a wild card team might end up being a detriment this year as opposed to something that sparks them on another Stanley Cup run.

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