Steven Stamkos won’t play in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Final

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos caused a bit of a stir this morning during the Bolts’ optional morning skate at Consol Energy Center when he wore a regular jersey after practicing the last couple of days in a red no-contact jersey.

Following the skate, Stamkos said he’s “hopeful” about returning to the ice at some point for Tampa Bay’s Eastern Conference Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he reiterated there’s still no change in his status.

“There’s a chance,” Stamkos said. “That’s why I’m putting in this hard work. If there wasn’t a chance then I’d just have my pom poms out and be a cheerleader. I’ve done that for sure, but there’s a reason why I’m working as hard as I am every day because there is a chance. I obviously want to believe that there is and hope that there is, so it doesn’t change the way I go about my business.”

Stamkos said he still doesn’t know when he will get that chance, however.

“That’s the frustrating part is not knowing when, but I am hopeful that it can be this series.”

Stamkos said he’s not off blood thinners but indicated he didn’t necessarily need to be completely off the medication to play.

“There are instances in players where other guys have changed their blood thinner regiment,” he said. “You don’t necessarily need to be off blood thinners in order to play, there’s different ways around that. That’s something we’ve discussed, and there’s a lot more when you dig deeper into the science of it that there’s ways around it. Obviously we have to make sure there’s zero risk when you’re going out there and playing.”

Stamkos led the …

continue reading in source lightning.nhl.com