Tampa Bay- Shining Without Stamkos
When Steven Stamkos suffered a broken leg back in November (coincidentally the same day I arrived in Toronto!) many people believed the Tampa Bay Lightning's season was done like the turkey. Well it appears that there is hope for the Sunshine State after all, because this season Tampa Bay look like a revitalised team and right they stand 4th in the Eastern Conference with 25 wins to their name!
Last season, the 2004 Stanley Cup champions were derided by hockey fans as a spent force, and in fairness a lot of this criticism was justified as the Bolts limped home 14th overall in the East, only place up from their sister team, the Florida Panthers and the jokes about Florida hockey team increased dramatically! Guy Boucher for his efforts (or lack of efforts in this case) was given the chop by Steve Yzerman and replaced by Jon Cooper.
Under the new leadership, Tampa Bay have looked a genuine threat offensively and although losing star man Stamkos has been a blow, the team had rallied together and shown a new strength and belief in themselves. Much of this can be attributed to the capture of Valtteri Filppula whose experience has proven invaluable since arriving from Detroit and Captain Martin St Louis has continued his Art Ross trophy scoring from last season and currently sits as top scorer with 38 points.
But one if the real key factors has been goalie Ben Bishop who has recorded over 22 wins this season in net this season and has shone against top opposition!
After a pretty dry spell, Tampa Bay look odds on to make their first playoff appearance since 2010, and this year they may just turn a few heads!
Last season, the 2004 Stanley Cup champions were derided by hockey fans as a spent force, and in fairness a lot of this criticism was justified as the Bolts limped home 14th overall in the East, only place up from their sister team, the Florida Panthers and the jokes about Florida hockey team increased dramatically! Guy Boucher for his efforts (or lack of efforts in this case) was given the chop by Steve Yzerman and replaced by Jon Cooper.
Under the new leadership, Tampa Bay have looked a genuine threat offensively and although losing star man Stamkos has been a blow, the team had rallied together and shown a new strength and belief in themselves. Much of this can be attributed to the capture of Valtteri Filppula whose experience has proven invaluable since arriving from Detroit and Captain Martin St Louis has continued his Art Ross trophy scoring from last season and currently sits as top scorer with 38 points.
But one if the real key factors has been goalie Ben Bishop who has recorded over 22 wins this season in net this season and has shone against top opposition!
After a pretty dry spell, Tampa Bay look odds on to make their first playoff appearance since 2010, and this year they may just turn a few heads!
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