Quick Strikes: Bolts’ win a costly one with Stamkos injury

The Bolts hung on to win... but lost Steven Stamkos after a lower body injury, in which it appeared he favored his right knee/leg. Brian Boyle states the obvious and says Stamkos did not come back. [Tampa Bay Times]

The game was a mess. [Raw Charge]

The official word after the game is no word on Stamkos.

But the rumors are starting.

The view from the other side. [Winging It in Motown]

Ted Kulfan writes the Wings’ loss was crushing, but the Bolts’ win was gutsy. [The Detroit News]

The League

Let’s play “name all the Lightning ties” on the rosters for the Centennial Classic alumni game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings. And go! [Yahoo]

Jonathan Marchessault is the real deal. In case anyone was wondering. No? Same. [FanRag, formerly known as Today’s Slapshot]

If “safe is death” then the Islanders are the Walking Dead. [Lighthouse Hockey]

Try not to get misty-eyed as you watch the Canucks’ in-arena tribute to Pat Quinn.

Gary Bettman and Co. are putting their foot down when it comes to expansion draft rules. Any rule-breaking will lead to consequences that might include first-round draft picks. Yikes. [Last Vegas Review-Journal]

The general managers are meeting in Toronto to discuss a host of topics. “The GMs are torn on whether they need to address blindside hitting or leave it alone if the main point of contact from the hit is not the head.” [NHL.com]

The aliens are coming to Air Canada Center?

The highs and lows of the seven Canadian-based NHL teams thus far. [CBC]

In this space Tuesday, we wrote about Seattle ambassador/quarterback Russell Wilson joining an ownership group that wants to bring an NBA/NHL arena to Seattle. Now we know the why: He wants kids to grow up in Seattle dreaming of playing in the NBA or NHL one day. [Players Tribune]

The Game

How You Can Play is preparing for the next president. [The Athletic]