Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos has career-defining Game 3

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos had his Willis Reed moment in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Back in 1970, Willis Reed of the New York Knicks had a career-defining moment. After being injured in Game 6, people assumed he wasn’t going to play in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. But Reed played. Yes, he only took two shots and barely even played. But simply having him out there gave the Knicks enough energy to win. 50 years later, Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning had his Willis Reed moment.

Entering Game 3, the Lightning were tied with the Dallas Stars 1-1 in the Stanley Cup Final. But after a lackluster third period in Game 2, during which the Stars nearly blew a 3-1 lead, Tampa needed a spark. Enter team captain Steven Stamkos, who hadn’t played all postseason.

Willis Reed might have played 27 minutes in Game 7 in 1970, but he didn’t actually do that much on the court. He only made two shots in five attempts and only had three rebounds. Reed had as many personal fouls (four) as he had points. Likewise, Stamkos only took one shot, but he scored on it.

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Unlike Reed, Stamkos didn’t play much at all. He only spent 2:47 on the ice in Game 3 and didn’t even play after an early second-period shift. But just like Reed’s presence lifted the Knicks to greatness, Tampa played one of their best games of the postseason with Stamkos back in the lineup.

Even after Stamkos left the game, he made an impact. He was still on the bench, barking out orders and cheering on his teammates. Merely having Reed on the active roster made the Knicks better in 1970. He didn’t even need to do much. Likewise, Stamkos didn’t need to do much either. Just being out there fired up his teammates.

Entering this postseason, Stamkos had a questionable legacy. Sure, he’s the best goal scorer of the post-2004 lockout era not named Alex Ovechkin. Anytime you’re right behind arguably the greatest goal scorer of all-time, you’re doing something right. However, Stamkos has never won a Stanley Cup. In fact, he’d been pretty quiet in recent postseasons.

His Game 3 goal was his first non-power play goal in the postseason since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2018. Even entering the Stanley Cup Final, the Lightning were winning without Stamkos. What’s that say about him as a player? In a sport where playing hurt is encouraged, it says a lot and most of it is bad.

Stamkos silenced all of his critics in Game 3. It doesn’t matter what happens from here on out. No matter who wins this year’s Stanley Cup Final, Stamkos has etched his name in Stanley Cup lore. People will be talking about his amazing comeback in Game 3. This is the kind of performance that can transform someone’s legacy.

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Alex Ovechkin was an all-time great even before he lifted the Stanley Cup, but his legacy took off like a rocket after he finally lifted Lord Stanley. It placed him firmly in the “greatest players of all-time” discussion. Stamkos might not have had the same effect on his team as Ovechkin, but you can bet his legacy will similarly improve if he lifts Lord Stanley.

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