DIRK SHADD | Times
With the playoffs set to begin Wednesday, the Lightning will be missing a key piece, captain and leading scorer Steven Stamkos.
But Stamkos, 26, who underwent vascular surgery last week to fix a blood clot, apparently hasn't given up hope on playing again this season.
Several teammates visited Stamkos in the hospital in Tampa Monday afternoon, saying the All-Star is in "good spirits," but had a message.
"You can tell he wants to be there (on the ice)," wing Alex Killorn said. "In the case he could come back, he really wants to make sure we go back to the final to give him a chance to play again this season.