Off to a Lightning Hot Start

After coming up just short of reaching the Stanley Cup two years in a row, the Tampa Bay Lightning have become a dangerous franchise and a tough team to face. The Lightning were just short of the Stanley cup in 2016 with a devastating 4-3 loss in the series against the defending Stanley Cup winner, Pittsburgh Penguins.

However, after that series loss the Lightning changed their mentality quickly, focusing on the new season. Many transactions were made, mostly in favor of the Bolts as they hope to use this to their advantage looking to make another run for a Stanley Cup.

Transactions heading into season

The Lightning made critical transactions this offseason to help build their franchise and move forward heading into the 2016-17 season. The biggest transaction was re-signing Steven Stamkos to an eight-year contract extension.
As the first overall pick in the 2008 NHL draft’s contract was running out this summer, it was a question as to if Stamkos was going to head home to Toronto to put on a different blue and white or if GM, Steve Yzerman, was going to make it his top priority to keep their franchise player. Just two days before his contract ran out, Stamkos decided to make his decision to stay with the Bolts.

This was the beginning of the re-signing of the top players for the Lightning. A few days after Stamkos re-signed, defender Victor Hedman also signed a eight-year contract. Arguably the best defender on the Bolts, believed that this is where he wanted to continue his career and followed Stamkos by signing the deal.

On that same day, the Bolts signed backup goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy to a three-year extension. The last major transaction heading into the 2016-17 season for the lightning happened to occur less than a month ago when they signed Stamkos’s right hand man, Nikita Kucherov, to a three-year extension.

First ten games

The Lightning started the new season 3-0 beating the Red Wings, Devils, and Panthers and then continued by going 3-4 in the next seven games. Although their record is 6-4 thus far, they are off to a hot start putting them fourth in the Atlantic Division, and only a couple games back from the Canadiens who lead the division.

After winning the first three, they went 3-4 in the last seven losing to the Avalanche, Canadiens, Devils, and Rangers and beating the Senators, Maple Leafs and Islanders. After beating the Avalanche, they dug themselves into a hole losing three straight but overcame adversity and had a great bounce back win against the Islanders last night. This win was large in part because of goalie Ben Bishop, who the Lightning are glad to have back after injuries. He accounted for 26 saves along with great play from forward Nikita Kucherov who scored two goals and two assists.

Two goals. Two assists. First Star.

The one and only Nikita Kucherov. pic.twitter.com/VTDVApCAHO

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 2, 2016

Statistics

Steven Stamkos is well on his way to a Hart Memorial trophy. Through ten games, he is the second highest point scorer (12) and tied for most goals scored (7) in the NHL. Nikita Kucherov is not far behind Stamkos. He is tied with Stamkos with twelve points scored on the season. When it comes to team statistics, the Lightning average 3.2 goals a game which is sixth overall in the league. The Bolts are 90 percent when it comes to killing penalties which is second overall in the league and 24.4 percent on scoring when on a power play (5th in the league).

The Lightning will look to continue building off their hot start with a home game at Amalie Arena against the 5-4 Boston Bruins Thursday night. Look for them to keep growing as a team as they look to capitalize on another successful season.