NHL Power Rankings Week 7: Blue Jackets rising, Islanders at rock bottom
(12-7-1). Previous: . Tampa Bay Lightning. 4. team. 23.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, just like last season, have been thriving without captain Steven Stamkos. That’s a testament to just how deep this team is rather than an indictment on Stamkos. Tampa Bay’s +15 goal differential is one of the best in the NHL.
Last week, they feasted on the Islanders, Red Wings, Sabres, and Flyers. Their xGF percentage of 49.52 isn’t ideal, but it’s certainly not terrible. The Lightning have the elite goaltending and skill necessary to potentially overcome it long-term.
Tampa Bay has Nikita Kurcherov, who has been a huge reason they have won without Stamkos. This was true in the playoffs last season, and with him leading the team in points, it’s true this year as well. Andrei Vasilevskiy has been great in goal and serves as insurance in case Ben Bishop gets injured.
Even other than Kucherov and Stamkos, they have pretty great scoring depth. Victor Hedman is one of the top scoring blue liners in the NHL. Tyler Johnson and Alex Killorn have been steady with 11 points. Tampa Bay has 11 players with at least six points. If they can get a healthy Stamkos back in March or April, watch out.
Tampa Bay should be thankful for Jon Cooper, an excellent head coach, and Kucherov.