Stamkos gives it his best shot in loss

Oct 5, 2008 - 2:05 AM PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Ticker) -- The top overall pick of this year's NHL draft nearly made the top play on Saturday.

Looking to snap a tie game midway through the third period, Tampa Bay Lightning prized rookie Steven Stamkos skated in on a breakaway.

All that stood in the way of the 18-year-old notching his first NHL point - and possibly his new team's first win - was New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

Stamkos eyed the upper right corner, but the Swedish netminder did the same - denying the upstart with a brilliant glove save.

Alas, the Lightning's fortunes followed suit when Brandon Dubinsky scored a power-play goal with 5:44 remaining in the third period as the Rangers opened the regular season with a 2-1 triumph at the O2 Arena as part of NHL Premiere 2008.

The team's result aside, Tampa Bay coach Barry Melrose was pleased with the rookie's performance.

"Stamkos really showed some flashes of what he can do," Melrose said of Stamkos, who notched 8 minutes, 25 seconds of ice time and recorded two shots.

"Steven is one of our guys affected by the (seven penalties committed by the Lightning) because he doesn't kill penalties. He can get flying and playing well, but then he sits for a three-minute block and then a four-minute block. It's very hard for skill guys to sit and go with a jump."

Lundqvist offered no apologies for denying the milestone goal.

"He got a little delayed because I think he hit the (trailing defenseman's) stick, so I went down a little and opened up my glove side," Lundqvist said. "I knew right away he was going glove because it was wide open. As soon as I saw him hit the puck, I just reacted. It felt pretty good to make that save."

If the past is any indication, Stamkos will have other days.

After a superb career with Ontario Hockey League's Sarnia Sting in which he recorded 58 goals and 105 points in 61 games, Stamkos signed a three-year entry-level contract, which consists of an $875,000 base salary and could be worth up to $2.85 million.

Stamkos was among the OHL leaders in numerous categories in 2007-08 with nine game-winning goals (second), 23 power-play tallies (third) and five shorthanders (fifth). He was named OHL Player of the Month for February and netted 11 goals in nine playoff games for the Sting.