Steven Stamkos is back on the ice Authentic Vita Vea Jersey , eager to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning into the NHL playoffs.
The five-time All-Star missed the last three games of the regular season with a lower-body injury. He returned to practice this week and hopes to be ready Thursday for the start of a first-round series against the New Jersey Devils.
”It was obviously tough,” said Stamkos, who watched the Lightning go 2-0-1 down the stretch to hold off the Boston Bruins for the Atlantic Division title and No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Stamkos, a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, rebounded from missing most of last season with a knee injury to bolster the NHL’s most prolific offense with 27 goals and a career-high 59 assists for 86 points in 78 games.
The 28-year-old center anticipates a tough matchup against the young Devils, who won all three regular-season meetings between the teams.
Stamkos’ health figures as a key to the series.
He missed 65 games after undergoing surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee last season, when the Lightning narrowly missed the playoffs. Two years ago, a blood clot discovered near his collarbone sidelined the center from late in the regular season until Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when Tampa Bay lost to eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh.
The Lightning didn’t practice Tuesday Jonathan Villar Jersey , but coach Jon Cooper said the team remained hopeful of having Stamkos back for Game 1 against the Devils.
Stamkos is optimistic, too, though with his history of injuries in recent seasons he has no illusions about being completely healthy when he returns.