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Stamkos' 16th Continues Hot Streak

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 20, 2009

TAMPA - Lightning rookie and overall No. 1 pick Steven Stamkos scored his 16th goal of the season in the first period Thursday, the second-most scored by a rookie in franchise history.

With Tampa Bay on the power play, Vinny Lecavalier took a one-timer from the right point off a feed from Matt Lashoff. Lecavalier's shot caromed off the mask of Washington goaltender Simeon Varlamov to an open Stamkos, at the bottom of the left circle, who scored at the 17:39 mark of the period that tied the game at 1. The goal was the 10th for Stamkos in the past 17 games and also extended his scoring streak to four games.

Coming into the game, Stamkos has been tied with Ryan Craig, Daymond Langkow and Rob Zamuner for second-most goals by a rookie in franchise history. Brad Richards holds the team record with 21 goals in 2000-01.

With 11 games left in the season after Thursday's game against Washington, Stamkos has the opportunity to reach the 20-goal mark, which would be a significant milestone for the 19-year-old after he started the season with six goals in his first 51 games played.

"I think it would be huge for him," Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet said. "What he's done in the short time in which we have really been working with him on just the off-ice stuff, imagine the development he will have with the whole summer to work out. After the first two months some people thought he wouldn't get 10 goals, and now he has probably been one of our best forwards over the past 15 games, to be able to do that is a helluva feather in the cap for somebody who is 19 years old heading into next season."

Tocchet said he has been impressed with how Stamkos has grown in the later half of this year.

"He's learning what it takes at this level to be consistent," Tocchet said. "He's taken the ball and run with it. He hasn't missed a workout. He's always on the ice working after practice and in the video room. He's doing everything possible to be a better player. That's what I like about him. You don't have to constantly remind him to do stuff."

DOWNIE UP, SORT OF

While prospect RW Steve Downie is serving his 20-game suspension for physical abuse of an official while playing in Norfolk, the Lightning hope to give the 21-year-old a jumpstart on next season.

Downie arrived in Tampa on Tuesday to begin a strength and conditioning program similar to the one the team put Stamkos on earlier this season.

"He has to get stronger and he has to be in better shape, we want to get his body into hockey condition and accelerate his process," Tocchet said.

Downie is not eligible to play again until April 11, but said he intends to get his work in whether he plays again this season or not.

NUTS AND BOLTS

Counting only defensemen this season, Tampa Bay has lost 110 man games due to injury. ... D Josef Melichar cleared re-entry waivers Thursday and was in the lineup. ... RW Marty St. Louis extended his scoring streak to seven games. ... Lashoff had his second career multipoint game.

Erik Erlendsson

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