Steven Stamkos not expected to play remaining games this season
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is not expected to play the remainder of the team’s regular season games due to a Lower-Body Injury.
The Tampa Bay Lightning has dealt with a plethora of injuries this season. Towards the end of the season, it almost seemed as the team lost as many players as they gained on any given night. Unfortunately, this has been very reminiscent of seasons past.
Hopefully, as the team moves forward this is something which can be rectified. Regrettably, this is not something the Lightning is going to be able to correct in the final two games of the season. In fact, the Bolts will have to finish off the regular season without the assistance of one of their most prominent leadership figures.
According to Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper, captain Steven Stamkos is not expected to play the two remaining games of the regular season due to a Lower-Body Injury. Fortunately, there is some positive news which accompanies the more disappointing news.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Cooper goes on to say he expects Stamkos to resume practice with the team next week and be ready to rejoin the team when the postseason kicks off next week. This is definitely good news for the Lightning and everyone here in the Bolts Nation.
As much as Lightning fans want the captain to rejoin the lineup and help the Bolts finish off the regular season strong, sitting Steven Stamkos could be the best decision the Lightning has made all season long. The Lightning has already clinched their spot in the postseason. There is absolutely no reason for the Bolts to risk further injury to Stamkos when the playoffs are so close.
The Lightning needs to be in the best working order possible once the postseason starts. If it means Stammer needs a couple of games off in order to be in said condition, then this is simply what needs to happen.
Steven Stamkos has been one of the driving forces behind the Lightning’s offense this season. In the 78 games Stamkos has played this season, he has brought home 27 goals and 59 assists for a total of 86 points. The only player on the team with numbers high than Stammer’s is his partner-in-crime, Nikita Kucherov.
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The Tampa Bay Lightning currently holds their own destiny in their hands. Despite not having Steven Stamkos to finish off the season, the Bolts have everything they need in order to get the job done and finish the regular season on top. The one key to remember is to play to their abilities and not those of their opponents.