The indoctrination of Steven Stamkos to the NHL hit some hardships this season. ...more

February 19, 2009

Steven Stamkos dropped to a knee before swinging his arm around in a Tiger-esque pump toward the rafters. ...more

February 18, 2009

Lightning rookie and overall No. 1 draft pick Steven Stamkos recorded a natural hat trick in Tuesday's game against Chicago, scoring three consecutive goals. Stamkos, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Feb. 12, scored his first goal of the game at 12:58 of the first period when he jumped on puck that caromed off the end boards to the side of the net that he put past Cristobal Huet that tied the game 1-1. Then Stamkos went to work on the power play in the second period. With Craig Adams in the penalty box for a high sticking double-minor at 9:45, Stamkos gave Tampa Bay the lead at 10:28 when he took a down-low, cross-ice feed at the left point from Vinny Prospal and fired a wrist shot to the top of the neat post and over the right shoulder of Huet. Seventy seconds later, with Stamkos back on the left point on the second half of the power play, Stamkos one-timed a Steve Eminger feed past Huet that gave the Lightning a 3-1 lead 11:38 into the second period. Stamkos took to one knee and gave a Tiger Woods-esque fist pump as hats began to rain down from the stands in celebration of the rookie's first career hat trick performance, the first rookie hat trick in franchise history. It is Stamkos' second multi-goal game of the season. The overall No. 1 pick failed early on to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him when Tampa Bay selected him first at the draft in Ottawa back in June. He had four goals through the first 42 games of the season. But since the coaching staff put him onto a strength-training program, which saw him sit out three games as a healthy scratch, Stamkos has improved his play. In his past 13 games, including Tuesday, Stamkos has six goals and five assists. ...more

February 17, 2009

Tonight's Lightning opponent has survived the lean years and stockpiled impressive young talent. ...more

February 17, 2009

Lightning center and No. 1 overall draft pick Steven Stamkos is making the transition this season from junior star to NHL regular. Throughout the season, the 18-year-old from Markham, Ontario, will share his experiences with Tribune writer Erik Erlendsson to give readers an insight into a new way of life during his rookie journey. ...more

February 15, 2009

The Lightning's slumping offense needed a jolt. Enter Marty St. Louis. Tampa Bay's No. 1 spark plug led a four-goal, first-period outburst Thursday en route to a 6-4 victory against Toronto. St. Louis had a goal and three assists - all in the opening 20 minutes - to set a career high with four points in a period, which also ties the franchise mark done three other times. The three assists in the first period also tied a franchise record, a mark St. Louis has now reached three times. ...more

February 13, 2009

Gary Roberts has heard his fair share of sometimes unflattering monikers directed at him in good-natured ribbing throughout his career. ...more

February 12, 2009

Stamkos' controversial shot was one of 40 that failed to beat goaltender Kari Lehtonen in a 3-1 loss to Atlanta. ...more

February 11, 2009

Two days after all 29 teams passed on LW Jussi Jokinen, the Lightning dealt the 25-year-old forward to Carolina on Saturday. ...more

February 8, 2009

Lightning center and No. 1 overall draft pick Steven Stamkos is making the transition this season from junior star to NHL regular. Throughout the season, the 18-year-old from Markham, Ontario, will share his experiences with Tribune writer Erik Erlendsson to give readers an insight into a new way of life during his rookie journey. ...more

February 8, 2009