Michael Stuart: Stamkos Returns, Stamkos Leaves; Lightning Beat Stars 5-2

Excellent victory and the Lightning stars scored.

Stamkos goal was a beauty!

Dallas looked tired or off tonight. Hopefully they can repeat that 2 more times.

Game 4 outcome will like give us a good sense of how this will go.

Nice article MS

Go Bolts!

so is stamkos out again?

so is stamkos out again?
- alejandrososa

He said post-game that it's still something he's dealing with. We'll have to see what happens.

It's crazy that the series could be over by Saturday. Still surprised that they're doing a back to back. I feel like one extra day in the bubble wouldn't make that much of a difference, even given the Covid situation.

It's crazy that the series could be over by Saturday. Still surprised that they're doing a back to back. I feel like one extra day in the bubble wouldn't make that much of a difference, even given the Covid situation.
- jvar17

I think it has more to do with TV ratings. Can't not have a game on Friday or Saturday night.

It used to be the case that unless you were in the line up for X number of playoff games or at least one game in the Cup final, your name did not go on the Stanley Cup. Is it possible that fact played some part in Stamkos playing, or has that rule changed?
Huge win for Tampa!
Can't wait to see McDonagh lift the Cup!! Wish Girardi was still there for it, too.

It used to be the case that unless you were in the line up for X number of playoff games or at least one game in the Cup final, your name did not go on the Stanley Cup. Is it possible that fact played some part in Stamkos playing, or has that rule changed?
Huge win for Tampa!
Can't wait to see McDonagh lift the Cup!! Wish Girardi was still there for it, too.
- Tonybere

Great point about stamkos. After the last two games no way Tampa derails or Dallas steps up. Kucherov is ridiculous.

It used to be the case that unless you were in the line up for X number of playoff games or at least one game in the Cup final, your name did not go on the Stanley Cup. Is it possible that fact played some part in Stamkos playing, or has that rule changed?
Huge win for Tampa!
Can't wait to see McDonagh lift the Cup!! Wish Girardi was still there for it, too.
- Tonybere

He already qualified to have his name on the cup for his regular season.

It used to be the case that unless you were in the line up for X number of playoff games or at least one game in the Cup final, your name did not go on the Stanley Cup. Is it possible that fact played some part in Stamkos playing, or has that rule changed?
Huge win for Tampa!
Can't wait to see McDonagh lift the Cup!! Wish Girardi was still there for it, too.
- Tonybere

I think there's also a regular season qualification that works as well.

Also, teams can ask for exceptions, and the commissioner can either accept or deny it. Valdimir Konstantinov in 1998 is an example.

Also, Peter Pocklington tried (and succeeded) to have his father's name engraved; the only way to take it off was to engrave a bunch of "X" marks over it.

It's too early to talk about engraving Cups. The Lightning have to get two more wins first, and those will be the hardest wins to get. Of course, Dallas needs three and those won't be easy either.

It's too early to talk about engraving Cups. The Lightning have to get two more wins first, and those will be the hardest wins to get. Of course, Dallas needs three and those won't be easy either.
- GalacticStone

I wouldn't breathe easy in your situation as a fan, either, but as an outsider...that was a pretty comprehensive win that makes me believe this thing is over in 6.

I wouldn't breathe easy in your situation as a fan, either, but as an outsider...that was a pretty comprehensive win that makes me believe this thing is over in 6.
- Only_A_Ladd

I won't breathe easy until one team wins. In the meantime, it's chain-smoking and power-drinking. LOL.

I won't breathe easy until one team wins. In the meantime, it's chain-smoking and power-drinking. LOL.
- GalacticStone

So...a normal day?

So...a normal day?
- jmatchett383

Pretty much.

I won't breathe easy until one team wins. In the meantime, it's chain-smoking and power-drinking. LOL.
- GalacticStone

Great point about stamkos. After the last two games no way Tampa derails or Dallas steps up. Kucherov is ridiculous.
- drew18

Absolutely enjoy the way Kucherov plays the game. Fantastic shot from anywhere in the rink, awesome passer and a gritty edge to his game. If you dish out the rough stuff, he'll send it back. All of the top players need that response to protect themselves. Otherwise it becomes cheap shot city.

Two more games for the cup. You guys deserve it. Just hope my Leaf team is paying attention to the effort required to win this thing.

Absolutely enjoy the way Kucherov plays the game. Fantastic shot from anywhere in the rink, awesome passer and a gritty edge to his game. If you dish out the rough stuff, he'll send it back. All of the top players need that response to protect themselves. Otherwise it becomes cheap shot city.

Two more games for the cup. You guys deserve it. Just hope my Leaf team is paying attention to the effort required to win this thing.
- Leafsmart

I enjoy watching him also. If he played for another team, I would hate him. He's cunning with or without the puck. Watching his game round out and seeing him become a defensive force has been a treat to watch. How he picks pockets and reads plays. He reminds me of Datsyuk because both of them are very creative with the puck. He's without a doubt the one of the top-3 wingers in the game right now.

I think Tampa as whole is not afraid of the rough stuff now. Tampa steamrolled other teams in the regular season with relentless scoring, but withered in the postseason under physical punishment. Now, to quote Walter White, Tampa is effectively saying "I am the danger." Watching Maroon patrol around looking for trouble is something else I enjoy watching, but would hate it coming from another team. LOL.

Leafs could use a dose of sandpaper. I miss the days of Domi and Clark cracking heads and keeping things honest.