Post by UtahGetMeTwo on May 31, 2015 17:42:10 GMT
lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=763234
1. The Triplets
"Take a bow if, before the 2014-15 season began, you predicted Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat would put up better numbers in their sophomore year.
Johnson and Palat had breakout seasons during their rookie campaigns in 2013-14, Palat finishing second to Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon for the Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year) after accumulating 59 points (23-36) and Johnson coming in third (24-26, 50 points) in voting.
In 2014-15, the two were even deadlier. Johnson tied Steven Stamkos for the team scoring lead and put up more goals (29) and assists (43) this year despite playing five less games. Palat tallied a team-high 47 assists and had 63 points in six less games.
Once Nikita Kucherov joined forces with the duo on October 24 in Winnipeg -- a move made out of necessity due to injury -- arguably the NHL’s best line was born.
On the score sheet from that Winnipeg game, the Bolts’ fourth goal reads: Ondrej Palat (3) ASST: Tyler Johnson (6), Nikita Kucherov (5). That theme would be repeated often in 2014-15. The Triplets accounted for 199 points through the season, or 29 percent of the Bolts’ scoring.
Their instant chemistry and second line production are a big reason the Lightning are a Stanley Cup contender.
3. Home Cooking
"After going 32-8-1 at Amalie Arena during the regular season, the Lightning finished with the best home record in the NHL by a wide margin. Tampa Bay’s 32 home wins were four more than Nashville (28), the next closest team. The Lightning established a new franchise mark for home victories, scored more goals at home than any other team (139) and allowed just 88, tied for third best in the league.
5. Depth CHARGE
Tampa Bay was hit by a number of injuries throughout the season, but whenever adversity struck, the Lightning were able to reach down into their deep reservoir of talent in Syracuse and keep the system running smoothly in Tampa.
Jonathan Marchessault, Mike Blunden, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Nesterov, Mike Angelidis, Cedric Paquette, Slater Koekkoek and Luke Witkowski all started the season with the AHL Crunch but were recalled at various times throughout the season. Their ability to shuttle between the two leagues and perform at a high level in both speaks to the number of highly-talented players throughout the Bolts organization.
“You look at our defense, we’ve got nine guys up here now, and they can all play in the league,” said Lightning associate coach Rick Bowness, referring to the unusually large amount of defensemen on the roster currently because of injuries.
“That’s a great comfort for us.”
7. STRALMAN & GARRISON: TWO OF THE BEST OFFSEASON ACQUISITIONS IN THE NHL
Tampa Bay went into the summer in search of a veteran stalwart on the blue line. They found two in Anton Stralman and Jason Garrison.
Stralman, playing his 8th season in the NHL, set new career highs for goals (9) and assists (30). He was arguably the Bolts’ best defender. Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Stralman has been “outstanding” in his first season with the team.
Oh, and he played all 82 games, the only defensemen to do so. Garrison was traded to the Lightning along w/ Jeff Costello and a 2015 seventh round pick from Vancouver. The price: A 2014 second rounder.
In hindsight, who doesn’t make that trade?
Garrison’s plus-27 was the best plus-minus of any defenseman in the league and tied for seventh among all skaters. He tied a personal high with 26 assists, despite playing in 11 fewer games. Ten assists came on the power play. Stralman and Garrison solidified the back end for the Lightning.
They’ve been a welcome addition to Tampa bay."
1. The Triplets
"Take a bow if, before the 2014-15 season began, you predicted Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat would put up better numbers in their sophomore year.
Johnson and Palat had breakout seasons during their rookie campaigns in 2013-14, Palat finishing second to Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon for the Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year) after accumulating 59 points (23-36) and Johnson coming in third (24-26, 50 points) in voting.
In 2014-15, the two were even deadlier. Johnson tied Steven Stamkos for the team scoring lead and put up more goals (29) and assists (43) this year despite playing five less games. Palat tallied a team-high 47 assists and had 63 points in six less games.
Once Nikita Kucherov joined forces with the duo on October 24 in Winnipeg -- a move made out of necessity due to injury -- arguably the NHL’s best line was born.
On the score sheet from that Winnipeg game, the Bolts’ fourth goal reads: Ondrej Palat (3) ASST: Tyler Johnson (6), Nikita Kucherov (5). That theme would be repeated often in 2014-15. The Triplets accounted for 199 points through the season, or 29 percent of the Bolts’ scoring.
Their instant chemistry and second line production are a big reason the Lightning are a Stanley Cup contender.
3. Home Cooking
"After going 32-8-1 at Amalie Arena during the regular season, the Lightning finished with the best home record in the NHL by a wide margin. Tampa Bay’s 32 home wins were four more than Nashville (28), the next closest team. The Lightning established a new franchise mark for home victories, scored more goals at home than any other team (139) and allowed just 88, tied for third best in the league.
5. Depth CHARGE
Tampa Bay was hit by a number of injuries throughout the season, but whenever adversity struck, the Lightning were able to reach down into their deep reservoir of talent in Syracuse and keep the system running smoothly in Tampa.
Jonathan Marchessault, Mike Blunden, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Nesterov, Mike Angelidis, Cedric Paquette, Slater Koekkoek and Luke Witkowski all started the season with the AHL Crunch but were recalled at various times throughout the season. Their ability to shuttle between the two leagues and perform at a high level in both speaks to the number of highly-talented players throughout the Bolts organization.
“You look at our defense, we’ve got nine guys up here now, and they can all play in the league,” said Lightning associate coach Rick Bowness, referring to the unusually large amount of defensemen on the roster currently because of injuries.
“That’s a great comfort for us.”
7. STRALMAN & GARRISON: TWO OF THE BEST OFFSEASON ACQUISITIONS IN THE NHL
Tampa Bay went into the summer in search of a veteran stalwart on the blue line. They found two in Anton Stralman and Jason Garrison.
Stralman, playing his 8th season in the NHL, set new career highs for goals (9) and assists (30). He was arguably the Bolts’ best defender. Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Stralman has been “outstanding” in his first season with the team.
Oh, and he played all 82 games, the only defensemen to do so. Garrison was traded to the Lightning along w/ Jeff Costello and a 2015 seventh round pick from Vancouver. The price: A 2014 second rounder.
In hindsight, who doesn’t make that trade?
Garrison’s plus-27 was the best plus-minus of any defenseman in the league and tied for seventh among all skaters. He tied a personal high with 26 assists, despite playing in 11 fewer games. Ten assists came on the power play. Stralman and Garrison solidified the back end for the Lightning.
They’ve been a welcome addition to Tampa bay."
