Lightning’s Steven Stamkos out Wednesday, could return this weekend

Steven-Stamkos

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos. (Chris O'Meara/AP)

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos will miss his club’s game against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday as he continues his recovery from a lower-body injury.

Head coach Jon Cooper confirmed the centreman’s status Wednesday afternoon.

Cooper added that Stamkos is hopeful to return this weekend — the club plays Washington on Friday and Carolina on Saturday, followed by a couple days off before a tilt against Nashville on Tuesday.

Stamkos last played on Nov. 21, skating for just 5:17 in Tampa Bay’s 4-2 win over Chicago before leaving with a lower-body injury. He’s missed the past two games as a result, in which time the Bolts have earned two dominant wins (6-2 vs. Anaheim, 5-2 vs. Buffalo).

The Markham, Ont., native has seven goals and 20 points so far this season, after posting a career-best 98-point effort in 2018-19.

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