The Tampa Bay Lightning are past the first round for the second year in a row thanks to some familiar faces. Let’s take a look at the comparison between both last years Stanley Cup Finalists and this years Tampa Bay Lightning.

2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs

In 2015 the clear difference between teams was the fact that Captain Steven Stamkos and Defensemen Anton Stralman were both healthy and able to play at the start of the postseason. Stamkos played in all 26 games the Lightning played and accounted for 18 point, on seven goals, and 11 assists. Stralman on the other hand played in all 26 games and recorded nine points, on one goal, and eight assists.

Even though Stralman was not accounting for a massive amount of points his defensive pressure and ability to get in the way of shots helped the Lightning make their run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Another key part who is just now beginning to catch fire in this seasons playoffs is Tyler Johnson.

Johnson was the leader of the team last postseason accounting for 23 points, on 13 goals, and 10 assists. Two of his goals were also on the power play which Tampa Bay was very good at last season.

2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs

In 2016 the Lightning have picked up where they left off almost without a hitch. Nikita Kucherov leads the team in the postseason with six goals and is tied with Johnson for multi-goal games at two. Without Stamkos it seems like the Lightning have not missed a beat.

The biggest thing that can be seen about this team this year is their determination and willingness to block shots and kill penalties. In the series against Detroit in round one the Lightning were 24 of 25 on the penalty kill and the lone goal came in game two.

Jonathan Drouin has played a huge part in the teams success on the forecheck and getting to the puck. Drouin also accounted for his first career playoff goal in game two against the New York Islanders on Saturday.

If the Lightning are able to get Stamkos and Stralman back at all this postseason, this team is going to be very hard to take down and stop them from getting the Stanley Cup that the NHL has their eyes on.