Stamkos, Killorn, Hayes fined $5000 each for unsportsmanlike conduct

Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Steven Stamkosand Alex Killorn as well as New York Rangers forward Kevin Hayes have each been fined $5,000 by the NHL for unsportsmanlike conduct during Thursday's game.

The incident was initiated by Hayes who sprayed Killorn with water from the Rangers' bench before a faceoff. Killorn reacted by jabbing Hayes with his stick a couple times. Stamkos also got involved after Killorn was given a slashing minor by spraying water in the direction of the Rangers' bench. 

The incident, which occurred three minutes into the third period, also sparked a fight betweenSteven Kampfer of the Rangers and Lightning forward J.T. Brown.

Stamkos leads 3 Stars of the Week

NEW YORK - Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov and San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending Oct. 22.

FIRST STAR - STEVEN STAMKOS, C, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Stamkos posted four multi-point games, compiling a League-leading nine assists and 11 points (2-9-11) to power the Lightning (7-1-1, 15 points) to a 3-0-1 week and first place in the overall NHL standings. He collected two assists in a 3-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings Oct. 16, three points (1-2-3) in a 5-4 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils Oct. 17 and two more helpers in a 2-0 triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets Oct. 19. Stamkos capped the week with 1-3-4, including the winning goal and his ninth career four-point performance, in a 7-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins Oct. 21. The 27-year-old Markham, Ont., native has registered at least one point in all nine of his appearances this season, pacing the NHL with 15 assists and 18 points. Stamkos is the first player to average at least two points through his team's first nine games of a season since 2012-13, when Thomas Vanek accomplished the feat with the Buffalo Sabres (8-11-19 in 9 GP).

SECOND STAR - NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov shared the League lead with five goals and ranked second with eight points (5-3-8) in four outings to help the Lightning equal their best nine-game start to a season in franchise history (also 7-1-1 in 2003-04). He scored in each of his first two contests of the week, recording 2-0-2 (including the game-winning goal) in a 3-2 victory over the Red Wings Oct. 16 and 1-1-2 in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Devils Oct. 17. In doing so, Kucherov became the sixth player in the NHL's modern era (since 1943-44) - and first since 1992-93 - to register at least one goal in each of his club's first seven games of a season. He then added one assist in a 2-0 win over the Blue Jackets Oct. 19 and 2-1-3 in a 7-1 triumph against the Penguins Oct. 21. The 24-year-old Maykop, Russia, native also has posted at least one point in each of his first nine outings this season, tying for the League lead with 10 goals and placing second with 16 points.

THIRD STAR - LOGAN COUTURE, C, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Couture ranked third in the NHL with 5-2-7 in three games to lead the Sharks (3-4-0, 6 points) to a pair of wins. He posted 2-2-4, his third career four-point outing, in a 5-2 triumph over the Montreal Canadiens Oct. 17. After being held off the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory against the Devils Oct. 20, Couture notched his second career hat trick (also March 29, 2016 at VAN) in a 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders Oct. 21. The 28-year-old Guelph, Ont., native has collected 185-199-384 in 511 career NHL games, including a team-high 6-2-8 in seven contests this season.

Why was Jack Capuano fired? Elliott Friedman says Steven Stamkos is why

The New York Islanders fired head coach Jack Capuano on Tuesday and named Doug Weight interim head coach.

NHL Network Insider Elliott Friedman believes that the firing of Capuano goes all the way back to the summer of 2016, when the Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed Steven Stamkos.

What does Stamkos have to do with this?

Well, Friedman said that obviously Stamkos is a great player, and the Islanders were making a huge push for him in the offseason, which is true. Insider EJ Hradek said that that's why the Islanders didn't push to re-sign Kyle Okposo until the very end when he signed with the Buffalo Sabres.

Friedman said that Stamkos signing with the Lightning created a 'domino effect' for the Islanders since they had planned on signing Stamkos. When he signed with Tampa Bay, the Islanders' plans went all out the window and this 'domino effect' eventually led to Capuano being relieved of his coaching duties on Tuesday.

Hradek said the re-signing of Casey Czikas also was part of the 'domino effect' for the Islanders.

Friedman also said that Capuano has a chance of becoming the first head coach of NHL's new Las Vegas franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, who will play their debut season in 2017-18. Friedman said that they could be looking for a coach, and Capuano could soon be on their radar.

The Islanders, who advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, are 17-17-8, last in the Eastern Conference. They defeated the Boston Bruins 4-0 on Monday, in what created a state of wonder for many as Capuano was fired the day after a good performance by the team.

Friedman said that Stamkos had plenty of options, like the Islanders. Toronto was a great option, as Hradek added on that Toronto was a well respected organization, but Stamkos chose Tampa Bay, and that shook up the Islanders plans and created the 'domino effect.'


Capuano had a record of 227-191-64 in 482 games. He has coached the Islanders since Nov. 15, 2010, after Scott Gordon was fired. He had served as an assistant coach with the Islanders in 2005-06 and coached Bridgeport, the Islanders' American Hockey League affiliate, from 2007-08 until he was promoted.

The Islanders had back-to-back 100-point seasons under Capuano in 2014-15 and 2015-16. They defeated the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference First Round last spring for their first Stanley Cup Playoff series win since 1993.

Lightning forward Steven Stamkos out indefinitely with lateral miniscus tear

Tampa Bay Lightning vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced that Steven Stamkos is expected to have arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee.

"Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee during the team's game against the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday night and will remain out of the lineup indefinitely," said Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman. "We are in the process of evaluating options for repair and rehabilitation and will release more information as it becomes available."

The Lightning captain was injured during a 4-3 win at the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday after he fell awkwardly against the boards while killing a penalty in the first period. He was unable to put pressure on his right leg as he skated to the bench. He played four shifts and had 2:07 of ice time.

Stamkos' 20 points are tied for second in the NHL with Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin, one behind Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele and Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov. He signed an eight-year, $68 million contract with the Lightning on June 29.

Stamkos is traveling to Vail, Colorado, on Thursday for the procedure.

HUGE TRADES/SIGNINGS in NHL on Wednesday; Subban, Larsson, Hall, Weber all traded, Stamkos signs with Lightning

- Taylor Hall traded to New Jersey Devils by Edmonton Oilers for Adam Larsson

- Steven Stamkos resigns with Tampa Bay Lightning, won't be traded. Deal is 8 yrs., $68M total in that span.

- PK Subban traded to Nashville Predators by Montreal Canadiens for Shea Weber.

Penguins defeat Lightning, Stamkos in Game 7

Game Recap from NHL.com.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins will play in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2009 after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final at Consol Energy Center on Thursday.

The Stanley Cup Final against the San Jose Sharks begins here on Monday (8 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, TVA Sports).

In a Game 7 full of big-name players, including Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos in his return to action, Penguins rookie forward Bryan Rust scored twice and rookie goalie Matt Murray made 16 saves.

"The big dream is still yet to be achieved," Rust said. "I credit my linemates for elevating their game and helping me elevate mine. It just happens that I was the one who put the pucks in the net."

TBL@PIT, Gm7: Pens advance to SCF with Game 7 win03:37 • May 26th, 2016

Stamkos, Tampa Bay's leading goal-scorer during the regular season, played for the first time since March 31 after having surgery for a blood clot. He played 11:55 over 20 shifts, 5:26 of that in the third period.

Stamkos had a chance to tie the game 2-2 late in the second period, but Murray got just enough of his snap shot to steer it wide of the left post with 3:49 remaining.

"I thought I beat him," Stamkos said. "It just went through him and out the other side. It was close, but we didn't generate enough offensively in order to win a game."

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said Pittsburgh was aware Stamkos would present a challenge.

TBL@PIT, Gm7: Rust accounts for Pens' offense in Gm700:44 • May 26th, 2016

"He's a world-class player, and they're adding him to their team," Crosby said. "You look how dangerous he is, and for even missing the amount of time he did, he looked pretty good out there. …

"We weren't sure what was going to happen -- I think we just tried to worry about us -- but it's hard not to know if he's out there and be aware of that."

Crosby scored the game-winning goal in Game 2, 3 and 6. In the seven years between Stanley Cup Final appearances, Crosby said he never doubted Pittsburgh would make it back.

"It's not easy," he said. "Having gone through a couple of those early on, 20 and 21 years old, playing in the Finals, I think you have more of an appreciation for it now. Just love the opportunity to be able to get back."

TBL@PIT, Gm7: Drouin whips puck past Murray01:09 • May 26th, 2016

The Penguins had last won a Game 7 in the 2009 Cup Final against the Detroit Red Wings. Pittsburgh had lost three consecutive Game 7s since.

Rust, in his first Game 7, gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead 1:55 into the second period.Evgeni Malkin received a stretch pass from defenseman Olli Maatta before leaving the puck near the blue line for Chris Kunitz, who passed to Rust coming into the zone between the faceoff circles. Rust sent a snap shot over goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy's glove for his fourth goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After going 11 games without a goal since scoring twice against the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round, Rust has scored three goals in his past two games.

Jonathan Drouin tied the game 1-1 with his fourth goal of the series 9:36 into the second period, but Rust scored 30 seconds later.

TBL@PIT, Gm7: Penguins receive Prince of Wales Trophy01:29 • May 26th, 2016

A slap shot from defenseman Ben Lovejoybounced off the end boards and to the right of the net, where Vasilevskiy attempted to freeze it with his glove. The puck came free and Rust poked it between Vasilevskiy and the right post to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead.

Rust's five playoff goals are the most by a Penguins rookie since Jan Hrdina scored four in 1999.

The Penguins held a 29-10 shots advantage through two periods, and finished 39-17.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper credited Pittsburgh but said Tampa Bay, who lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Chicago Blackhawks last season, could have been more aggressive.

TBL@PIT, Gm7: Murray denies Stamkos' slap shot00:19 • May 26th, 2016

"We got caught. When we were in those situations, we probably should have shot and we passed," Cooper said. "We got caught in between on a lot of occasions. They play [defense] well. They block a lot of shots. That was evident this whole series. The amount of shot blocks was just incredible."

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, who took over Dec. 12 after Mike Johnston was fired, regularly stressed a team concept and said he felt that was evident Thursday. He said Game 7 might have been the "most complete 60-minute effort" Pittsburgh has had.

"I think we have evolved into a team in the true sense of the word," Sullivan said, "and I think tonight, that was on display. … We wanted to play in their face and in the gaps tight … I think we took the speed away that makes Tampa Bay so dangerous.

"I know there's a lot of stories that surround this group, but the greatest story of all is the group itself."

Lightning forward Steven Stamkos to miss 1-3 months with injury

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos will miss one to three months of playing time due to a blood clot near his right collar bone.

Stamkos will have a surgery to try and help repair the injury on Monday.

"Obviously, this situation is extremely disappointing because I wanted to help my team clinch a playoff spot and prepare for the start of the postseason," Stamkos said in a statement Saturday. "During my recovery, I will do all I can to help my teammates, and I hope to rejoin them soon in the Stanley Cup Playoffs."

Stamkos has not missed a game since March 6, 2014, playing 209 consecutive games, including the playoffs.

Stamkos won't be traded, Lightning GM says

On Monday, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman announced Tha despite many rumors, the team will not be trading forward Steven Stamkos.

Many rumors have circulated that Stamkos may have been traded due to the fact that he is a free agent at the end of this season.

For now, Stamkos is staying in Tampa Bay.