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Tampa Bay Lightning: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

By Hunter Hodies

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 14: Steven Stamkos
TAMPA, FL - APRIL 14: Steven Stamkos /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 15: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after scoring a goal against Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals during the first period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 15: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after scoring a goal against Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals during the first period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

3. Can Steven Stamkos stay healthy again this season?

It doesn’t take a genius to see how much Stamkos means to the Lightning when he’s healthy and doing his thing. Sure, they got to the Eastern Conference Final without him just a couple seasons ago, but during that run, there were a lot of times where you could tell that they missed him. In 2017, they missed the playoffs as he only played in 17 games after suffering a torn meniscus. This past season, we saw how good he can be when he stays healthy. In 78 games, he had 27 goals and 86 points, which actually didn’t lead the team in either category (thanks, Nikita Kucherov). He was also outstanding in the playoffs as he had seven goals and 16 points in their 17 playoff games. During the 2014-2015 campaign, when Tampa went to the final, Stamkos had 43 goals and 72 points in a full 82-game season. He also had seven goals and 18 points in 26 playoff games.

Obviously, Stamkos can’t be out for any long-term duration for this season or it’ll damage some of the Lightning’s hopes for winning the Stanley Cup. It’s still a concern with him, even though one of the years he was hurt was because he had a blood clot issue. Losing him for any bit of a time just wouldn’t be good. He’s not only good at even-strength but he makes Tampa’s power play deadly. His one-timer shot on that first unit just isn’t fair to any goaltender in that situation.

Having Stamkos healthy just makes Tampa that much more dangerous and primed for another long playoff run this coming season.

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