The Tampa Bay Lightning are averaging 3.3 goals in winning 13 of their last 18 games, including 13 goals in their last two outings. Given the ease at which they managed their third tally against the New York Islanders on Friday evening, it's no surprise they're finding the back of the net with such regularity.
Steven Stamkos was the goal-scorer on the play, and while the puck spent only a fraction of a second on his stick, his instincts as a finisher played a big part in making the sequence a success.
Famous for his one-timer from the off-wing, Stamkos (91) readies himself for a point shot as the play begins, with the puck working its way back to Nikita Kucherov just inside the blue line.
Rather than settle for a shot from distance, Kucherov (86) comes down off the point, sucking in a pair of Islander defenders and freeing up Jason Garrison for a one-timer from the right wall. While this is going on, Stamkos anticipates the action and sneaks down toward the goal mouth.
While Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss is able to stop Garrison's one-timer, the rebound falls right to Stamkos, who's positioned himself perfectly to take advantage of the gimme and hammer home a freebie.
Another look, showing just how little resistance Stamkos was met with when the puck found him.
The two-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner made no mistake from there.
For Stamkos, the goal is his 35th of the season. If he continues to be given the freedom to roam the ice and display the kind of goal-scorer's instincts he did on this play, there will be more "Rocket" Richard trophies in his future.
(Images courtesy: NHL)
