Steven Stamkos has shown no signs of slowing down since opening night.
Since the puck dropped on the 2017-18 season, the Markham, Ont. native has tallied 15 assists and 18 points to lead the league in both categories by adding two goals and nine assists over the week to a nine-game point streak.
Sidelined with a knee injury since November 15 of the 2016-17 season, Stamkos is quickly making up for lost time as an integral part to the Lightning's league best record of 7-1-1, along with linemate Nikita Kucherov (10-6–16). Along the way to matching a franchise-best start to the season (first posted in 2003-04), Kucherov has also enjoyed a nine-game point streak which began on opening night.
Nikita Kucherov & Steven Stamkos are 1st pair of teammates to start season on 9-game point streaks since 2001-02 (Demitra & Weight w/ STL). pic.twitter.com/wwgJfo829F
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 22, 2017
Stamkos started his week by picking up a pair of assists on the road at Little Caesars Arena in a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red wings, assisting on both of Kucherov's goals. Stamkos hasn't been shy about passing the puck or the praise on to his teammate.
"Right now, we're just trying to get him the puck as much as we can," Stamkos told NHL.com. "He's got so much confidence and he can score in so many different ways."
"Not too many guys can shoot it like that," Stamkos said. "I don't even think I have that in the repertoire."
The very next day it was on to Prudential Center for a matchup against the New Jersey Devils where Stamkos tallied a goal and another pair of assists, earning himself the title of third star of the game in an eventual 5-4 loss in the shootout.
Before heading to Nationwide Arena Thursday, Stamkos continued to share the puck Thursday by getting secondary assists on the first two NHL goals of teammate Mikhail Sergachev's career. The second of which was the product of a turnover forced by the captain to help the Lightning to a 2-0 victory before heading back to home ice Saturday.
Stamkos had a hand in almost every goal of a 7-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Amalie Arena by netting the game-winning goal and a trio of assists for his fourth multi-point game of the week. Not only was Stamkos named first star of the game, but his marker was the 113th power-play goal of his career, which saw the 27-year-old pass Lightning great Vincent Lecavalier for the most in franchise history.
With his team a perfect 5-0-0 at home, Stamkos looks to push his personal point streak to an even 10 games Tuesday night on the road when Tampa Bay visits the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
Complete listing of the 2017-18 NHLPA.com Players of the Week here.