Bastian will appear in his 200th career NHL game Thursday night versus the Lightning.

Every hockey player takes a different path to reach the NHL. Once the dream of playing professional hockey becomes a reality, a unique journey follows. One filled with unexpected twists and turns that ebb and flow from season to season and game to game.

Nathan Bastian knew he wanted to be a professional hockey player for as long as he could remember. In 2016, he achieved his dream, being selected in the second round, 41st overall, by the New Jersey Devils at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Five years ago, almost to the day, Bastian suited up for his first career NHL game versus the Anaheim Ducks in Jan. 2019. Tonight, he will go through his pregame routine and skate onto the ice at Amalie Arena for his 200th game.

After Tuesday's practice, Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News sat down with Bastian to talk about his career up until this point, including what he remembers about his debut. 

"Fighting."

In his first NHL game, Bastian dropped the gloves to fight 6-foot-3, 218-pound Josh Manson.

"I really, really wanted to find a way to stick out," he explained. "Fighting is not an easy way, but it is something you can do by choice. I knew when I had the chance that I was going to take it. I think it was good for me."

"Growing up, I was never a fighter. I'm still not really a fighter. With that being said, I'm willing to stick up for my teammates," he continued.

Since then, he has been in numerous fights, scored 25 goals, and recently reached and surpassed the 50-point career mark.

That, of course, led to the question, has Bastian experienced his "I made it" moment?

"No, it is so weird," the winger explained. "I'm playing my 200th (game) on Thursday, and obviously, now I made it, but there's no definite (moment). For me, it was play one game, then play five, and then you play 20, and then you kind of look back, and you're like, 'okay, I made it.'"

After further thought, he was able to pinpoint one moment that could qualify.

"Maybe it was my second contract, which was a one-way, which normally means you're in a pretty good spot. That was like, 'Hey, I'm an NHLer now,' if I have to pick a time."

It is key to remember how difficult it is for an individual to become a professional athlete when hearing Bastian's answer to Flannery's next question: Is it harder to achieve or sustain the dream? 

After a beat, Bastian provided his answer.

"Probably sustain it. I mean, there are a lot of kids who get to come up and play a game, two or three, but being on the team at (training) camp and being there all year and constantly doing that is hard. It is really hard."

He's not wrong. Over the years, fans have seen plenty of players recalled from the American Hockey League that have been unable to secure a consistent spot in the lineup in New Jersey. The most recent example is Graeme Clarke, who made his NHL debut and was reassigned to the AHL the following day.

Knowing how challenging it is to remain in the NHL, a milestone like 200 games played is an eye-opener for the Ontario native.

"For me, it is even more of an eye-opener for the guys who are able to hit 1,000 or 1,100 (games played). How impressive it is."

With so many key forwards out of the lineup, Bastian will look to make a positive impact in his 200th career game and help his team earn two crucial points versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.