By Michael Wax
Make that three consecutive scores of 6-3 in favor of the Lightning, as they defeated the Devils to head into the 2024 All-Star break third in the Atlantic and winners of eight of their last nine. Here's how they stacked up:
Stamkos-Point-Kucherov
Hagel-Cirelli-Paul
Sheary-Motte-Eyssimont
Chaffee-Glendening-Merelä
Hedman-Raddysh
de Haan-Perbix
Lilleberg-Crozier
Vasilevskiy in goal.
Here are our three biggest takeaways:
Snakebitten No More
It’s been a rough year for the captain at 5-on-5. Despite putting up 14 points in 17 games since he tied the franchise record for goals in a single game against Edmonton, Stamkos did not have an even-strength goal in that timeframe (all five goals coming on the power play). After getting a five-on-five assist in the last game against Arizona, which turned out to be his 1100th career point, Stan's coach finally broke through with goal-scoring at 5-on-5 in this one.
Shortly after former Bolt Ondrej Palat got the Devils on the board and made it a one-goal game, the first line of Stamkos–Point–Kucherov went to work. Credit to Nikita Kucherov, who made another brilliant pass across the ice to Nick Perbex to get a grade-A scoring opportunity. A sprawling Vitek Vanecek stopped Perbix's shot, but Stamkos was right on the doorstep for the rebound for his first 5-on-5 goal since December 14.
He’s been playing noticeably better at 5-on-5 as the new year has rolled around and the Lightning have gone into the second half of their season. Thankfully, he was rewarded with one of the more crucial goals of the game.
700 for 77
One game after Stamkos put up his 1100th career point, Victor Hedman had his own individual accolade by putting up point number 700 of his NHL career in this one. This felt very symbolic, as these two have been the faces of the revitalization and dominance of the Lightning franchise ever since they were drafted in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Hedman’s assist came on the game-opening goal, as his puck presence allowed him to grab a rebound from Darren Raddysh and get his own shot on that, one that Nick Paul was able to get to and bury before any of the Devils could get to him.
Hedman would also put up another assist before the end of the second period, as his shot to the net once again caused havoc in front before Brandon Hagel took a couple of wacks at the puck and eventually got it by Vanecek.
The defense for Hedman may not be what it used to be, but the offense has certainly rebounded in quite a big way for the Swedish defenseman compared to last season. Not only that, but his 505 production has been much better, as it doesn’t feel like he’s reliant on being the quarterback on the top power play to get assists.
Rest and Recover
The Lightning have certainly put together their best streak of the season over the last 10 games, going 8-2-0 with wins over very competitive teams and having more success on the road than previously. With this long All-Star break where the Lightning will not play for at least 10 days, this is an opportunity for the entire team to rest their bodies after such a grueling 10-game stretch, getting ready for the trade deadline and subsequent playoff push.
The Lightning should have several reinforcements on February 7 against the New York Rangers. Mikhail Sergachev, Erik Cernak, and Haydn Fleury are all scheduled to come back into the lineup, giving Jon Cooper some very interesting line decisions to make. While Tanner Jeannot still might be a week or two away, the forwards that have substituted into the lineup, like Mitchell Chaffee and Waltteri Merelä have done enough to solidify their spots with such a big piece of the lineup out. Whatever the lineup that Cooper chooses, the Lightning should take this break with a mindset of recovering their bodies while also looking forward to the next game against New York and circling it as an opportunity to win and keep their third place in the Atlantic division.
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