The Tampa Bay Lightning announced that Steven Stamkos will be out of the lineup Thursday night with a lower-body injury.
#TBLightning Cooper said Steven Stamkos out tonight. Not sure when returning yet, getting checked out to get to “crux of problem” for what’s been nagging him.
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) February 27, 2020
Steven Stamkos Out For The Lightning
With the Lightning in the midst of a three-game losing streak, the team will be out with one of their top scorers. The injury occurred during the Lightning’s game on Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Stamkos was injured during the second period of the contest and did not return for the rest of the game. It is unclear how Stamkos got injured, but head coach Jon Cooper told the media after the game the injury was a culmination of a bunch of nagging injuries. It is unclear how long Stamkos will be out as he is getting checked to find the source of the injury. Through 57 games, Stamkos has 66 points (29 goals and 37 assists).
This is not the first time Stamkos has been injured this season. On two occasions this season, Stamkos had to miss time dealing with lower-body injuries. The most important thing for the Lightning is for him to be healthy as they try to make a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Going Forward
It will be interesting to see how the Lightning will run their line combinations against the Chicago Blackhawks. As it stands right now Brayden Point will centre the top line of Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat. Anthony Cirelli will be centring the second line. In addition to Stamkos being out of the lineup, Blake Coleman is a game-time decision, as his wife is giving birth to their first child. Also Pat Maroon is out of the lineup as he continues to deal with a lower-body injury. The Lightning will have some juggling to as they look at an end a three-game losing streak against the Blackhawks. Even if these players can’t go they still have enough firepower to win the game.
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