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Tampa Bay Lightning C Steven Stamkos Plans to Return on Saturday Against the Red Wings

By Tasha St. Pierre

Oct 10, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) reacts after he scored a goal for a hat trick as fans throw their hats on the ice during the third period against the Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Lightnings won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) reacts after he scored a goal for a hat trick as fans throw their hats on the ice during the third period against the Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Lightnings won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) reacts after he scored a goal for a hat trick as fans throw their hats on the ice during the third period against the Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Lightnings won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) reacts after he scored a goal for a hat trick as fans throw their hats on the ice during the third period against the Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Lightnings won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

It would seem as if things are looking up in a big way for the Tampa Bay Lightning today. Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times is reporting that Lightning center Steven Stamkos plans to make his return to the Tampa Bay Lightning on home ice on Saturday, February 8th against the Detroit Red Wings.

After his participation in this game, Stamkos will determine whether or not he will be able to travel to Sochi to represent Team Canada in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, which kick off on Thursday.

Thankfully, Olympic hockey doesn’t kick off until February 12th for the Men, so Stamkos was afforded a little extra time not only to make his decision, but to allow himself more time to properly heal.

Stamkos has not played a single minute on the ice since “the break heard around the world” happened on November 11th at the TD Garden as the Tampa Bay Lightning took on the Boston Bruins.

Before being taken out with his injury, Stamkos had played in 17 games in a Lightning sweater. In that time, he had already netted 14 goals and 9 assists for a total of 23 points. He was on track to give current NHL goals leader Alex Ovechkin a run for his money.

I am sure that the entire Bolts Nation has just breathed in a giant sigh of relief in knowing that their Alternate Captain will be returning to the ice soon.

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