Steven Stamkos was placed on the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list this Friday. This follows his absence from the Lightning's recent 5-2 defeat against the Florida Panthers, where he was sidelined by a lower-body injury.
Through his Twitter account, Stamkos thanked everyone for their well-wishes. He noted that they suspect the positive result might be a mistake and is hoping for a quick resolution. He reassured his followers that he intends to return to the game shortly, provided he completes all the necessary NHL health protocols.
Should he remain under the league's COVID protocols through Saturday, Stamkos will be unable to participate in the scheduled game against Florida.
Coach Jon Cooper explained on Friday that the team's lineup will be decided based on a list of currently available players. He stressed that the priority is simply knowing who can suit up, and the team cannot afford to stress over missing top talent. Cooper reminded everyone that hockey is a collective effort, and the team must adapt; consequently, some depth players who typically see limited action may get a chance to prove themselves.
There is also uncertainty regarding forward Anthony Cirelli's availability for Saturday. Cirelli suffered an injury during the third period on Thursday and was unable to finish the game.
Addressing Cirelli's condition, Cooper told reporters that the team is hoping the injury isn't serious or long-term. While he noted a recent trend of frequent injuries among the players, he declined to speculate further, stating they need to see how the recovery progresses.
Playing at the BB&T Center on Thursday, the Lightning relied on a rotation of 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Their loss in that game snapped a promising six-game winning streak.
Stamkos currently leads the Lightning in scoring with seven goals this season. With 14 total points, he trails only his teammate Brayden Point, who has racked up 16 points (six goals and 10 assists) across 11 appearances.