Tampa Bay Lightning: Top Martin St. Louis moments
By Lane Fahey
An unforgettable playoff series in Lightning history
As Martin St.Louis gained moment, so did the Lightning. In the 2002-03 season, the Bolts had success season and even made the playoffs. Coming up short, the team was ready for a Stanley Cup the next season.
The 2004 playoffs were like no other for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the first series against the New York Islanders, St.Louis notched five points, including two game-winning goals.
After recording six points both against the Montreal Canadiens and seven against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Tampa Bay Lightning were Eastern Conference Champions. The Stanley Cup was in reach.
One more team and four more wins were in between the Bolts and the Stanley Cup. After going back and forth with the Calgary Flames, the Tampa Bay Lightning were down 3-2 in the series, with a must need Game 6 win.
Going into the third period, the game was tied up 2-2, thanks to Brad Richards two power-play goals. After a scoreless third, the game went to overtime. Then, another twenty minutes would not do it.
It is now double overtime. A goal could mean the Stanley Cup for the Flames, or a Game 7 back in Tampa Bay. 33 seconds in, Marty St.Louis shoots a rebound and scores the game-winner. This moment was crucial in Lightning history, and one of the many reasons Tampa Bay took home the Cup that year.
The Lightning went on to win Game 7, 2-1 and for the first time winning the Stanley Cup. While every single player made a contribution to that team, St.Louis was one of the top dogs that season. Without his determination and scoring, that 2004 team would not have been the same.