Tampa Bay Lightning C Steven Stamkos Cleared to Play Against Buffalo

There is finally some good news on the horizon for the fans in Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos has finally been given the green light to return to the Lightning lineup, and is expected to play tomorrow night against the Buffalo Sabres.

This will be the first time that Stamkos has hit the ice in an official capacity since fracturing his tibia on November 11^th at the TD Garden in Boston as the Tampa Bay Lightning took on the Boston Bruins in their third meeting of the season; a game in which the Lightning lost 3-0 after Stamkos’ injury.

Stamkos was due to have his evaluation this morning where they would re-visit his x-rays and determine if his leg had healed to full capacity and he was ready to rejoin the team. Based on his Twitter status, I would say that he received good news.

This news couldn’t possible come at a better time for the Bolts. Since the Olympic break the team seems to have taken a slide, dropping three of the four games in their latest road trip; the last of which was at the Scottrade Center last night against the St. Louis Blues.

Prior to his injury, Stamkos had already scored 14 goals and 9 assists for a total of 23 points to accompany his plus-11 rating.

We shall see how the Lightning center responds in his first game back when the Lightning face off with the Sabres tomorrow night at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Do you think Stamkos will hit the ice ready to score some points, or do you think he’ll need to be eased back into the system after such a long recovery? Let us know what you think in the comments below.