According to nhl.com, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos of Markham, Ontario has been named the National Hockey League First Star of the Week for the week from April 18-24, 2022. In four games, Stamkos had four goals and nine assists for 13 points, which were the most number of points for all National Hockey League players this past week.
Stamkos opened the week with three assists in a 4-3 Tampa Bay loss to the Detroit Red Wings on April 19. That was followed by one goal and two assists for three points in an 8-1 Lightning win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 21, one goal and two assists for three points in a 6-2 Lightning win over the Nashville Predators on April 23, and two goals and two assists for four points in an 8-4 Lightning win over the Florida Panthers on April 24. Also during the week, Stamkos was a +4 with four penalty minutes, six power-play points, 14 shots on goal, six hits, three blocked shots, and 33 faceoff wins.
Stamkos has six straight multiple point games. Prior to this past week, he had two assists in a 4-3 Lightning win over the Anaheim Ducks on April 14, and then one goal and one assist for two points in a 7-4 Lightning win over the Winnipeg Jets on April 16.
On the season, Stamkos now has 37 goals and 60 assists for 97 points in 78 games. He is a +20 with 30 penalty minutes, 33 power-play points, nine game-winning goals, 225 shots on goal, 525 faceoff wins, 30 blocked shots, 90 hits, 28 takeaways, and 21 giveaways.
The Lightning are in third place in the Atlantic Division. They have a record of 49 wins, 22 regulation losses, and eight losses in extra time for 106 points. Despite being behind the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Lightning are serious contenders to win their third straight Stanley Cup. The first two had Canadian connections. Two years ago in 2020, they won the Stanley Cup in Edmonton. Then last year, they beat the Montreal Canadiens.
