Another player the Lightning will continue to lean on, as they do in every postseason, is defenseman Victor Hedman, who leads all Tampa Bay skaters with six points (1G, 5A) over the first four games of the playoffs.
What a year it's been for Hedman, who posted new career highs in goals (20), assists (65), points (85), power-play goals (6), power-play points (38), and game-winning goals (6) during the regular season. The assist and point totals set new Tampa Bay franchise records for a defenseman and his 20 goals tied Dan Boyle (2006-07) for the most in Lightning history.
With numbers like that, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Hedman was voted as a Norris Trophy finalist for the sixth-straight year on Monday. Awarded to "the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position," the Norris Trophy was won by Hedman in 2018.
Hedman is the first defenseman to be a Norris Trophy finalist for six straight seasons since fellow Swede Nicklas Lidstrom did it from 1997-98 through 2002-03.
"I just can't believe he's been in the league this long at the age he's at and he's still having such a positive effect," said Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper. "But, I've said this year in, year out in the playoffs - when Victor Hedman's rolling, usually our team's rolling. It's always a good sign when he's playing like the way he is."
Hedman's 20 goals and 85 points ranked third among all NHL defensemen this season, while his 65 assists ranked second. The big Swede recorded 2,056:12 worth of time on ice this season, trailing only San Jose's Brent Burns, who logged 2,144:02 over all 82 games.
On Tuesday, Brandon Hagel was asked what has stuck about Victor Hedman since he joined the Lightning at this year's trade deadline.
"How big he is and how fast he can move," said Hagel with a smile. "You never see someone like that being able to move just as quick as anyone on the ice. It's insane.
"The way he moves the puck, the way he shoots the puck, his poise - it's unbelievable.
"Even playing against him when I was in Chicago was never fun. Obviously, that's one guy that every team looks at and wishes they had on their team and, thankfully, he's on ours."
It will be a big test on Tuesday night for the Lightning, who will have to win at least one more game in Toronto in order to advance to the second round.
After the Bolts fell in Game 3 following their Game 2 win in Toronto, Tampa Bay will look to replicate their performance from Sunday's Game 4, starting with their urgency and work ethic.