Stamkos breaks an 80 year old record with his incredible return last night

In case you missed it last night, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos made an emotionally charged return to his team's lineup last night after 210 days away. Stamkos not only suited up to play Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Dallas Stars, but he also managed to pot a goal in his effort as well. And it wasn't just any goal... this was a certified Stammer beauty.

Check it out:

Unfortunately, that's about as good as things got for Stamkos on the evening. Sure his team managed to score a decisive 5-2 victory over the Stars, but Stamkos left the lineup with five minutes remaining in the opening period and did not return to action. While he remained on the bench for moral support, Stamkos did not play another shift on the evening. His status for Game 4 on Friday night is still very much up in the air.

Incidentally though, Stamkos did manage to tie an 80 year old record last night by becoming just the second player in NHL history to score a goal while skating in his first game of the playoffs during the Stanley Cup Final. The only other player to match the feat was Toronto Maple Leafs forward Billy Taylor Sr. in 1940 agains the New York Rangers. The Rangers, by the way, would go on to win the Stanley Cup in six games that season.

Check it out:

Here's hoping this isn't the last Stamkos story during this Cup Final. He obviously showed last night that he can contribute even if he's not at 100% and he gave the Lightning another look, especially when he played on the wing. In any case, it's really no surprise that the Lightning shut him down in the latter bit of the first period. With a commanding lead, there's no need to put your star captain at further injury risk. Nurse the lead, take the win and prepare for Game 4, that appeared to be the Lightning's game plan and they executed it to near perfection. The Stars will need to seriously rebound in Game 4 on Friday night or this series could be over quickly.