Tuesday, 3 a.m.
In the history of the Tampa Bay Lightning, no one has had more power than Steven Stamkos.
Through all the games he has played, and despite all of the games he has missed, Stamkos is now that franchise's leading scorer with 301 power-play points. He passed former teammate Marty St. Louis in the Lightning's 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, a victory that improved the Bolts to 5-1-1 on the season.
Stamkos had a goal and an assist to get his total, which came in 162 fewer games than St. Louis.
"I think these are ones you don’t really know (about) until they put it up on the scoreboard and the guys start congratulating you," Stamkos said. "Any time. you're up there with Marty and Vinny (Lecavalier) in the record hook, it means I’ve been here a long time and I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of success. Hopefully, I've got a lot more power points to score."
Stamkos said he learned a lot from St. Louis.
"He taught me so much when I came into the league," Stamkos said. "His work ethic is very contagious. Just how to be a professional. How to adapt as a player. If you want to be elite in this league, you have to do it consistently, which he obviously was. Where to go on the ice without the puck.
The Bolts had an effective first period, scoring three goals, including one with four-tenths of a second to play.
“As fast as these players are in today’s game, that’s ample time," Cooper said. "When I looked up there was six seconds (left). Guys are so fast you can make something out of nothing."
The Bolts play again Wednesday when they host the Detroit Red Wings. The puck is scheduled to drop at 5:30 p.m.