Having consistent even-strength offense is one of the most vital components of a dominant team. Seven out of the last ten Stanley Cup champions finished top ten in goals for per 60 (GF/60) at 5-on-5 during the regular season (via Evolving Hockey ). The newest star of the Tampa Bay Lightning , Jake Guentzel , is a perennial 5-on-5 goal scorer and the best available on the market this summer.
The 29-year-old will be critical in mitigating the Lightning’s 5-on-5 offensive struggles last season. Lightning Lost a Step Offensively During their Stanley Cup runs a few seasons ago, the Lightning were the best pure offensive team in the league at 5-on-5. When the club won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2018-19, they ranked first in goals for per 60 (GF/60) at 5-on-5.
The Lightning repeated this elite scoring pace the following season in 2019-20 and captured the Stanley Cup. However, the team dynamic changed drastically last season. The Lightning’s 5-on-5 offense dipped to the league average, and the team placed 16th in goals for per 60 (GF/60).
Organizations nowhere near a playoff spot, the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets finished ahead of the Lightning in this offensive metric. Tampa Bay lost their scoring touch at 5-on-5, but with the addition of Guentzel, expect their rates to improve drastically next season. Jake Guentzel Solves Major Weakness for Lightning Over the past five seasons, Guentzel ranks 20th in 5-on-5 points and tied for 16th in 5-on-5 goals.
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