"I think they learned from last year, a little bit of adjusting their style, playing less risky hockey. They've evolved into a team that can play any style. You want to open it up, they can. You want to play tight, they can. They have some physicality as well, so they won't shy away from anything, and they've got the goalie (Andrei Vasilevskiy). It was their year. I just hope next year they're in a position to have continued success. They have some guys who are in their prime and will be in their prime for many years."
Sixteen years later, vivid memories of winning the 2004 Stanley Cup remain, Tampa Bay having defeated the Calgary Flames in double overtime on the road in Game 6 to stave off elimination, then returning home to win a 2-1 nail-biter in Game 7. Both Lightning legends understand the emotions that the 2020 Lightning are feeling now and will forever.
"I wish I could have that feeling again because the night you win the Cup is something you will never feel again, unless you win it again," Lecavalier said. "This is a dream come true for all these guys now, as it was for me.
"This year's team is still running on adrenaline, which will last for two or three days, even longer. They have to think that you might win this only once in your life so you've got to take full advantage of it. And it's funny, after you win it once, you say, 'Wow, I want to win it again because it was so much fun.'"
Support for the team will soar to new levels, St. Louis said, the team's second Stanley Cup placed on a solid hockey bedrock in Tampa.
"The Lightning have done so much for me as a player, raising my number," he said. "I want nothing but the best for them. I'm glad that I'm part of the history of this team. That history will keep building and that's another big step for them. You don't have to be an Original Six team to build some tradition. I think Tampa is well on their way."