No fairy-tale ending for Steven Stamkos and Lightning
Tampa captain returns from blood clot issues but Penguins get the win
The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning went back and forth in their grueling Eastern Conference final.
We knew that Game 7 of the series would provide plenty of drama, but that it happened before the game was the surprise.
Rumours that Tampa captain Steven Stamkos would return began in the early afternoon, a surprise considering he hadn't played in nearly two months because of a blood clot issue and ensuing surgery. So when he stepped on to the Consol Energy Center ice for pregame warmup, even the Pittsburgh crowd gasped.
The Captain taking the ice. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PITvsTBL?src=hash">#PITvsTBL</a> <a href="https://t.co/D9TVjm5Gt1">https://t.co/D9TVjm5Gt1</a>
—@TBLightningThis "breaking news" is something that fans have been waiting for, but maybe didn't see coming.
Just got home, wait stamkos is playing?!?! <a href="https://t.co/O9m2NrGTts">pic.twitter.com/O9m2NrGTts</a>
—@Servemethesky86Stamkos' blood clot stemmed from repeated trauma to the vein. He then experienced issues from affected blood vessels, to collarbone problems, to pinched ribs all the way to difficulties with mobility of his right arm. It was no surprise when even Don Cherry believed the Lightning centre should have sat this one out.
Coach's Corner: Don Cherry says "no way Stamkos should be playing" <a href="https://t.co/kPFKZECbys">https://t.co/kPFKZECbys</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/budcanada">@budcanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BudCanada?src=hash">#BudCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/zPOMZvCb6F">pic.twitter.com/zPOMZvCb6F</a>
—@SportsnetHockey fans weighed in on Grapes' take:
I would agree with Don though Stamkos shouldn't be playing right now
—@joelthesakicOmg, Stamkos is playing? So dumb.
—@FffeistyBut let's put ourselves in Stamkos' skates: it's Game 7 and a spot in the Stanley Cup final is on the line. What do you do?
The courage Stamkos is showing tonight is unbelievable, guy is a warrior
—@adamtruax1The captain made his debut in the first period and held his own:
Stamkos took 8 shifts in the first period, seeing the ice for 4:31. That was more TOI than Boyle, Paquette, Brown, Koekkoek, & Namestnikov.
—@WFLAPaulIt wasn't until Pittsburgh Penguins' Bryan Rust scored the first goal of the game that the Stamkos puns surfaced. It was only a matter of time:
Stamkos looks a little Rust-y.
—@StrassAndBrassand we were worried about Stamkos being rusty. Guess we should have worried about Rust being Stamkosy
—@wingingitmotownThen there were glimpses of what Stamkos could do for this Tampa Bay team.
Murray says "No." <a href="https://t.co/gtRCrq5qEs">pic.twitter.com/gtRCrq5qEs</a>
—@NHLonNBCSportsHowever, as the game progressed with the Penguins leading the Lightning 2-1, Tampa Bay fans' reality set in pretty quickly.
Gonna lose tonight and lose Stamkos in the summer. Let the depression settle in.
—@SportsCass5On July 1, Stamkos will become an unrestricted free agent and has already been named to Team Canada's roster for the World Cup of hockey.
Steven Stamkos will become unrestricted Free Agent after THIS season is over.. Risk involved after blood thinners BUT could be PP difference
—@KDPomp