Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos exited his team’s 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night after he picked up a left leg injury. With less than three minutes left of the first period, Stamkos got tangled with Chicago forward Joey Anderson in his own zone. After the two fell, Stamkos skated off the ice while holding his left leg.
Lightning coach Joey Anderson expressed optimism regarding the captain’s injury status following the win, stating: “”I think he’s going to be OK. We just kept him out for precaution. We’ll check him out [on Sunday], but we’re hopeful he’ll be OK.” The Tampa Bay coach was unable to offer any further details.
Stamkos has continued to prove himself as a key player in the Lightning’s lineup, currently second among the team’s scorers with 27 goals and third with 66 points in total.
Drafted by Tampa Bay as the number one pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, Stamkos is the team leader with 508 goals and 1,038 points. He has lifted the Lightning to two Stanley Cup championships and has guided the team to third place in the Atlantic Division this season.
