When Steven Stamkos potted his 60th goal in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s final game of the season, it capped off what’s become a rare feat in today’s NHL. And just for good measure, he did it with an injured shoulder.
Sure we might remember when Alex Ovechkin scored 65 back in 2007-08 for the Capitals, but to find the next most recent 60-plus goal season, you have to go back to 1995-96 when Mario Lemieux buried 69 and his Pittsburgh teammate Jaromir Jagr got 62.
Had it not been for the lockout in 1994-95 that led to a shortened schedule, the NHL very well could’ve had 60-goal scorers each season from 1980-81 all the way til Lemieux’s 69-goal campaign. Now it’s only happened twice since then -- an accomplishment Stamkos knows is rare.
At just 22 years old, Stamkos’ 60-goal season earned him a Hart Trophy nomination and leaves us wondering... can he score even more?