There are no grand surprises about a team coming off a 128-point season, which ultimately culminated in one of hockeys most stunning upsets. This season, prolonged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mustve been doubly excruciating for this iteration of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who enter their fourth conference final under Jon Cooper, hell-bent on finally lifting the Stanley Cup that has heartbreakingly eluded them.
It may be too early to declare that the Lightning exorcised their demons, but their roster flexibility, ability to navigate tight spaces, create shots and their stars elevating their game without captain Steven Stamkos helped this team make quick work of the Presidents Trophy-winning Boston Bruins. As it stands, there are no teams left in the field, perhaps other than the Vegas Golden Knights, who ought to feel more qualified and this is a portrait of a contender rounding into its fullest form, with an elite goal scorer working to get back into the lineup.
Tampa Bay is a relentless shot-creation machine with 806 shot attempts and 558 unblocked shot attempts through 13 postseason games prior to Wednesdays slate, according to Natural Stat Trick. Vegas, for comparison, ranks second with 727 shot attempts and 518 unblocked shot attempts. In part due to Stamkoss absence due to injury, the Lightning have deployed a lineup consisting of 11 forwards and seven defencemen and it has worked to near-perfection because of continuity, superstar performances from Brayden Point, Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Nikita Kucherov and the ability to deploy burgeoning stars throughout the roster to create true balance.
The decision to surrender a first-round pick and a conditional first-round pick for Barclay Goodrow and Blake Coleman, respectively, at the deadline has been a major talking point, proving that not all first-round picks hold inherently equal value. Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois correctly assessed that his team needed a new wrinkle and added two players who bring an element of toughness without sacrificing real skill. Paired with Yanni Gourde, this trio has often started games as the nominal shutdown line, but they dont always play traditional roles.
Lets use the opening goal against the Bruins in Game 5 as an example. Coleman and Gourde work in tandem to free up the puck from David Krejci, then Coleman gets the puck to Kevin Shattenkirk, waiting at the point. Gourde, listed at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, sets up in front as an unmarked screener, while Shattenkirk fires the puck with the direct intention of it being deflected.
Ondrej Palat whos been exceptional lately, and more on him below deftly deflects the puck past Jaroslav Halak. Tampa Bay has often deployed the much larger Alex Killorn and Pat Maroon as its screeners, but all of its forwards can retrieve the puck and rotate when called upon.
Point has ascended to superstardom with Stamkos out of the lineup and while his acceleration is dazzling, his navigation of small spaces is what elevates him from your average star to a playoff-defining superstar. Hes been the focal point of Tampa Bays nominal top scoring line. These distinctions dont matter all too much for a team this deep, especially with Kucherov returning to MVP form.
The above video, compiled by ESPNs Dimitri Filipovic is a perfect encapsulation of Points playoffs, so lets go through the clips:
1) During Tampa Bays 7-1 rout of Boston in Game 3, Point makes the Bruins look silly after he gathers a loose puck and in one fell swoop uses Kucherov as a screen. John Moore begins to retreat with Point barrelling down, but cant force him into a decision and helplessly stabs at the puck as the Lightning forward makes an eye-popping through-the-legs move, finishing with a no-look pass to Kucherov out front, who tucks the puck past Halak uncontested. This entire sequence took six seconds.
Story continues
2) Point is trapped along the boards with Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton and Matt Grzelcyk converging on him during Game 2. Charlie Coyle is the third man in for support, but after Clifton releases, Coyle moves up in an attempt to cut off a passing lane to MikhailSergachev. Its the right idea by Coyle but the wrong application as Point pulls off a nasty little spin-o-rama. After weaving out of traffic, Point realizes the Bruins have collapsed four defenders on him and finds a wide-open Shattenkirk. Kucherov, after sitting in front of the net unattended for the majority of the possession, gamely tips it in to tie the game up.
3) This third clip is a perfect summary of Points ability to navigate through tight spaces. Point takes advantage of a turnover and blazes into the offensive zone. After his initial attempt to get the puck to the front of the net fails, Point gathers himself and puts on a stick-handling clinic, toying with Bruins defenseman Torey Krug and finding the red-hot Palat in front of the net for the opening goal.
Theres more to unpack from Filipovics video edit, but these three plays best encapsulate Points brilliant playoffs to date and especially how hes elevated his linemates. Palat, a puck-retrieval specialist, has come alive with unbridled confidence, wiring shots from in close and he only needs a sliver of space to get an accurate slapshot off.
Kucherov, the reigning Hart Trophy winner, has been as good as his pedigree suggests. Hall of Famer and Lightning broadcaster Phil Esposito argued on August 25 that Kucherov doesnt use the full scale of his immense talent and that the Lightning would need him to return to MVP form if they were to win it all. Kucherov responded with six points in his next two games, before leaving Game 5 with an undisclosed injury. In any event, Kucherov helps the Lightning reach an absurd ceiling no other team is capable of, but if he is out for a while after taking an errant high-stick to the face from Zdeno Chara, his team has proven they can adapt.
Weve gone this far without talking about Hedman, who has been the best defenseman in the playoffs by some margin. Hedman logged 38:25 in Game 5 before scoring the series-winner, his fifth goal of the postseason, and unless you were paying close attention to the injury report, one wouldnt notice the absence of Ryan McDonagh, who missed three games due to injury. Hedman allows for the 11F-7D lineup to work because to borrow from soccer, he can operate like a sweeper, joining into the rush as he sees fit without sacrificing anything in his own end.
As for Vasilevskiy, well, my colleague Justin Cuthbert said it best:
Tampa Bays positional flexibility also works on the back end too because of Hedman. Only a team this absurdly talented could sneak Sergachev onto their third defense pairing, a future star in the making. But Tampa will be ready to adjust as Stamkos works his way back to full health, and Kucherovs status remains up in the air.
What does that look like?
Stamkos helped Tyleer Johnson reach his lone All-Star Game in 2015 and has played large stretches throughout their shared tenure with Palat. Is it worth breaking up the Palat-Point-Kucherov combination, though? It would be a little surprising if Palat, to accomodate a right-hand shot on the left wing, was bumped down. Hes earned his spot for now.
It doesnt seem likely Jon Cooper will break up the Coleman-Gourde-Goodrow line, although with due respect to Gourde, who has played well during the playoffs, it would be totally justifiable to toss Stamkos in, and bump Gourde onto a line with Pat Maroon and Cedric Paquette, resetting the lineup to a 12-F 6-D format.
The line of Killorn, Anthony Cirelli and Johnson may be where Stamkos fits in best, and could see Killorn or Johnson bumped down to the fourth line. Cirelli is Tampa Bays best defensive forward and earned some discussion for the Selke Trophy, so hes too valuable to knock out of the top-nine rotation.
These are all good problems to have, of course, and by not only experimenting with an 11-F 7-D lineup, but thriving with it, the Lightning are the most flexible team left in the dance, while remaining a shot-creation juggernaut.
This is a portrait of a true contender. But the Lightning know better than anyone that games arent won on paper. With the Bruins out of the way, their march to the Cup is in full swing.
More NHL coverage from Yahoo Sports
View post:
The Lightning finally boast the anatomy of a true contender - Yahoo Sports
- Anatomy of the Phillips curve - CEPR - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Don't Expect Arizona To Return To Grey's Anatomy Anytime Soon After This Exciting Jessica Capshaw Update - Screen Rant - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Pacers vs. Thunder NBA Finals: Anatomy of a comeback How the Pacers once again did the unthinkable - Yahoo Sports - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Anatomy Of A Debacle: How Mayor Adams Went From Visionary to Bully on E-Bikes - Streetsblog New York City - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Anatomy of an At-Bat: How Matt Wallner Conquered Kevin Gausman - Twins Daily - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Enhancing anatomy education with virtual reality: integrating three-dimensional models for improved learning efficiency and student satisfaction -... - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Season 22 Cast Updates: Just Two Actors Confirmed After Shocking Finale, Though 7 More Stars Have Deals to Return - Just Jared - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- S11E20: 5 Things You Should Know About Tactical Anatomy With Steve Moses - concealedcarry.com - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Airport security held Greys Anatomy star for an hour over snack - Yahoo - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Wine Walk: The anatomy of a wine bottle, its cork and how it is sealed - The Courier of Montgomery County - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- MSc grad reflects on learning and legacy in the anatomy lab - Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo says TSA detained her over sunflower seeds - Washington Times - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Cardiac Anatomy & Orientation of the 3D Heart Part 3 - University of Nebraska Medical Center - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Star Chris Carmack Teases Link and Jos Season 22 Storyline: Anything Can Happen - Life & Style - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Star Reveals Her Secret to Flying Under the Radar on Planes - EntertainmentNow - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- None of her preserved anatomy looked like any other fossil. Scientists Realize That A Fossil Thats Millions Of Years Old Was Fossilized From The... - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy star is fighting to get Denzel Washington on the show: 'Im hoping he does it' - GeekSided - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- No, Sandra Oh is not watching Greys Anatomy in her free time - GeekSided - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron the anatomy of a slap - The Spectator World - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Sandra Oh Reveals If She Watches Grey's Anatomy Reruns 11 Years Since Cristina Yang Left The Show - Screen Rant - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Fan-Favorite Greys Anatomy Star Sandra Oh Reveals Whether She Still Watches the Show or Not - Collider - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy: Why Did Sandra Oh Leave The Show? Revisiting Her Shocking Exit & Remarkable Legacy - Koimoi - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Warfare at night, deepfakes by day: The anatomy of a rumour in modern era conflicts - The Indian Express - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Hunk, 59, Turns Heads in Rare Monaco Outing With Wife - parade.com - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy season 22 confirmed to premiere in fall 2025 - GeekSided - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy season 21 finale: Where to watch for free tonight - MassLive - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Showrunner Meg Marinis Confirms Your Fears After That Explosive Cliffhanger Finale - The Hollywood Reporter - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Recap: Did Firebomb Just Kill Off Lucas Adams, Teddy Altman, or Miranda Bailey? - TV Insider - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy season 22 will not introduce any major new additions: 'I have a big enough cast as it is' - GeekSided - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- 8 Biggest Unanswered Questions & Mysteries After The Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Finale - Screen Rant - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Only 2 Grey's Anatomy characters are confirmed to be safe in season 22 - GeekSided - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy': Meredith Puts Herself in Harm's Way Once Again as a Hostage Situation Leaves Grey Sloan Reeling - People.com - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- This Greys Anatomy character death still remains the shows most gut-wrenching - GeekSided - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Anatomy Of A Perfect Trip Cybercaf Across The Algarve - Quartersnacks - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Why the Greys Anatomy Hospital Is Facing Another Bomb Threat in Season 21 Finale - E! Online - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Streaming Set Another Record In April, But Greys Anatomy And The White Lotus Prove Linears Reach, Nielsen Says - Deadline - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Boss Answers the Biggest Questions From That Explosive Season Finale (Exclusive) - parade.com - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Season-Finale Recap: Explosions in the Sky - Vulture - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Boss Breaks Down That Explosive Season 21 Finale Cliffhanger, Merediths Surprising Decision - TheWrap - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy boss confirms one new star will return in season 22 - GeekSided - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Season 21 Finale Review: I Cant Believe The Show Pulled Off This Cliffhanger Reminiscent Of Its Glory Days - Screen Rant - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Finale Preview: Chris Carmack Teases 'Be Afraid' - Us Weekly - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- ABC NEWS STUDIOS ANNOUNCES HEY BEAUTIFUL: ANATOMY OF A ROMANCE SCAM BEGINS STREAMING MAY 20, ONLY ON HULU - dgepress.com - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- 5 Grey's Anatomy characters who might not return for season 22 after that fiery cliffhanger - GeekSided - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Explosion & Possible Character Deaths: Showrunner Explains Why Shes Doing This to Link & Jo - Just Jared - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' season 21 ending explained: Is Meredith returning to Grey Sloan for good? - Entertainment Weekly - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Finally Resolved Its Most Frustrating Plot In Limbo - Screen Rant - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Ending Explained: Amelia Survives A Near-Death Experience While Tragedy Strikes A Fan-Favorite - Screen Rant - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- James Pickens Jr. Says Every Day Is an Adventure on 'Greys Anatomy' (Exclusive) - People.com - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- The Doctor Is Out: Greys Anatomy Ends Season 21 With a Devastating Death - Yahoo - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Season 22 Cast: Only 2 Characters Confirmed Alive After Finale, Though 7 More Actors Have Deals to Return - Just Jared - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Interview: James Pickens Jr. Reflects on Pilot and Reveals Season 22 Hopes (Exclusive) - TV Insider - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy tells fans to "brace yourself" for season finale that's as dramatic as this iconic episode - Digital Spy - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- I Can't Believe Grey's Anatomy Still Hasn't Told Us Who Adams' Mother Is - Cinemablend - May 21st, 2025 [May 21st, 2025]
- Katherine Heigl Shares Why She's Grateful Her Daughters Aren't Interested in Grey's Anatomy (Exclusive) - parade.com - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Fans Are Just Realizing This Fun Fact About the Series That Affects All but 1 Episode - People.com - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- In a Nutshell: Turning anatomy education into online sensation - Ohio University - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Gets Musical Again: Link Serenades Jo With Song at the Wedding Altar - TV Insider - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Boss Unpacks Jo and Links Momentous Wedding Song, Teases Bonkers Season 21 Finale - TheWrap - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Generating cervical anatomy labels using a deep ensemble multi-class segmentation model applied to transvaginal ultrasound images - Nature - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes reveals the hardest death she had to write - Yahoo - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Katherine Heigl Reveals What 1 Medical Trick She Thinks She Could Still Do After Grey's Anatomy (Exclusive) - parade.com - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Season 21, Episode 17 Review: As A Long-Time Fan, I Loved This Romantic & Poignant Episode That Felt Like Classic Greys - Screen... - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- As One Greys Anatomy Couple Weds, Another Breaks Up and a Third Relationship Lands on Life Support - TVLine - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Every Wedding on Greys Anatomy , Ranked - Vulture - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- 'Greys Anatomy': Link Surprises Jo at Their Wedding, Owen Holds onto the Past and 1 Couple Calls It Quits - People.com - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Here comes the bride: Where to stream Greys Anatomy for FREE - PennLive.com - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Preview: Will Link and Jo I Do It Right On Their Wedding Day? Plus, [Spoiler]s Back - TVLine - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy boss reveals the disappointing reason Meredith missed Jo and Links wedding - GeekSided - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Anatomy Of Startup Governance Issues, Funding Zooms & More - StartupNews.fyi - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Shock: Lucas and Simone Split Will Fans Even Miss Them? - Decatur Metro - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- 9 Secrets of the Greys Anatomy Sets Superfans Need to Know - Architectural Digest - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Continues to Ignore a Key Character's Storyline (& It's Frustrating Fans) - Comic Book Resources - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Jo & Link's Unique Wedding Set-Up Is Exactly Why Their Romance Works In Grey's Anatomy - Screen Rant - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes reveals the hardest death she had to write - The Independent - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy fans are just realizing clever aspect of 'every episode' after 20 years - The Mirror US - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Did the Success of The Substance and Anatomy of a Fall Finally Teach Cannes a Lesson? - IndieWire - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy fans floored after spotting 'hidden message' in every episode - Irish Star - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Anatomy of an apprehension: Where are you taking the baby? - Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News - May 12th, 2025 [May 12th, 2025]
- Isaiah Washington Says Sandra Oh Brought Him Back on Greys Anatomy Years After Firing - E! Online - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]