Steven Stamkos' two goals propel Lightning to Stanley Cup Final: 'We deserved to win the game'

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Steven Stamkos has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2008 and has been one of the top players in franchise history over the course of his long career.

The veteran center stepped up in Saturday night’s Game 6 Eastern Conference final win against the New York Rangers.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) moves the puck against the New York Rangers during the second period in Game 6 of the NHL's Eastern Conference finals Saturday, June 11, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.  (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

First, Stamkos broke the game open with his eighth goal of the playoffs in the second period. 

But the Rangers tied the game in the third period on Frank Vatrano’s goal on an assist from forward Andrew Copp.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

About 21 seconds later, Stamkos struck again.

Stamkos got his second score past New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin on assists from Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat to put Tampa Bay up 2-1 with about 6:30 to play in the game, and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy held down the victory.

LIGHTNING BEAT RANGERS 2-1, ADVANCE TO STANLEY CUP FINAL

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, center, celebrates a goal against the New York Rangers with Jan Rutta, right, and Ondrej Palat during the second period in Game 6 of the NHL's Eastern Conference finals Saturday, June 11, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

"I obviously was a little disappointed in myself for taking the penalty. ... It’s easy to say now, but, for some reason, I wasn’t as rattled as I usually am in those situations," Stamkos said. "I was just confident in our group that we would find a way, whether it was in regulation or was