Steven Stamkos was a one-man wrecking crew for the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night, scoring two goals on a team-high five shots in the team’s Stanley Cup playoff opener against the Montreal Canadiens.
No more was his talent on display than in the second period, when he took off from behind his own net and out-skated the entire Canadiens team for an impressive coast-to-coast goal.
The 24-year-old displayed some serious speed, barreling up the right side and leaving Habs forward Brandon Prust in the dust with a quick self-pass off the side boards.
Near the top of the right circle, Stamkos slowed just enough to unleash a wicked wrist shot that slid past the right pad of goaltender Carey Price to give Tampa Bay a one-goal lead.
The Lightning are very happy to have their star center — who returned to the team in March after fracturing his right tibia against the Boston Bruins in November — with them in the playoffs, and it was easy to see why Wednesday night.
Stamkos’ slick skills weren’t enough to hold off the Canadiens, though, who scored in overtime to steal a 5-4 win at Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Check out Stamkos’ highlight-reel goal below.
