At first, Tampa Bay center Steven Stamkos played coy about the possibility of returning for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Penguins tonight.
But, after a few minutes of questions about his health, “You’ll have to find out” gave way to the truth.
“I know it’s gamesmanship and stuff, I’m not going to be in the lineup tonight,” Stamkos said after the Lightning’s option skate this morning.
Stamkos, the Lightning’s captain, is still recovering from shoulder surgery April 4 to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder. Despite ditching his red no-contact jersey in practice sessions, Stamkos said he is still in the “holding pattern” he was in at the beginning of the series.