Everytime I watch the playoffs, I come out and feel disappointed with Stamkos. To me, he's not someone who can elevate his team on his back. Let me explain further.
2011: His first taste of playoff games. TB go on to the conference finals, but lose to Boston in 7 games. This was Stamkos' first playoff run, so it's fair to be not too harsh on him. But he wasn't the reason TB got that far, it was due to St. Louis, Vinny, and Roloson.
2014: TB loses to 4 straight against Montreal. Nothing to go off of much here. He was the leading scorer for Tampa, but it's 4 games, doesn't tell much. However, it's understandable coming off of his first major injury, so he gets some slack.
2015: The lightning go the the Finals, but that was mainly due to the triplet's line, Hedman, and Bishop. Absolute non factor in the Finals (1 assist).
2016: The lightning go all the way to game 7 against Pittsburgh, but losing in 7. Stamkos, once again had a major injury, and comes back for game 7 against Pittsburgh, but is a non factor. Hedman, Kucherov, Bishop, Drouin, and Johnson were huge this run.
2018: TB go to the conference finals. Stamkos wasn't too bad this run, but he didn't show up during the last few games against Washington (no pts in the last 3 games). In fairness, same can be said for Kucherov, Hedman, and Point who were all held scoreless for game 5, 6, and 7.
2019: Absolute failure for Tampa. This is a failure for everyone when getting sweep.
2020: Pretty much win a cup without him after sustaining another injury. Hedman, Kucherov, Point, and Vasy lead the way.
2021: Current run. Hedman, Kucherov, Point, and Vasy are once again leading the way. Also, Killorn has been great as well.
Stamkos has never really been someone to put his team on his back. 2016 and 2020 did just fine with Stamkos. He wasn't the major factor with Tampa getting far in 2011, 2015, and so far 2021. The only playoffs where I felt he did good for the most part was in 2018, and even that ended in a sournote.
Stamkos at this point is a luxury for Tampa, not a need. they already proved they can win without him. Even when he is in the lineup, he's not the reason why Tampa goes far. He's truly lucky that some of his teammates are playoff monsters.
I'll admit that if Tampa wins this year, I would be annoyed with Stamkos as a 2 time cup champion. Doesn't sit right with me. Hedman, Kucherov, Point, Vasy etc. are great. They would truly earn that right being called 2 time cup champions. For Stamkos, he doesn't earn that monikor.