San Jose Sharks vs Tampa Bay Lightning preview

Tampa Bay Players to Watch

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Usually it would be a photo of Steven Stamkos here and we’d get to mention how deadly of a shot he has, but he’s rehabbing his broken tibia at the moment and obviously won’t be available this evening. The Lighting are a more dangerous team with Stamkos out on the ice, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have a few other players that know how to get the job done offensively.

Martin St. Louis is an ageless phenom and has five points in his last four games since the injury to Stamkos. He’s the kind of player that can beat a guy one-on-one if he’s given even just a little bit of space, and the Sharks need to keep tabs on where he’s at on the ice at all times.

Among the players that the Lightning needed to step up following Stamkos’ injury is Valtteri Filppula, and so far he’s elevated his game. He has four points in four games, and Tampa will continue to  lean on him in this time of need. Alex Killorn is also a youngster worth keeping an eye on tonight and in general.