Nashville Predators News

Stamkos missed the final three games of the regular season but it was mostly just to ensure he would be ready for the start of the postseason. Stamkos had another good season, picking up 86 points (27G / 59A) in 78 games and will look forward to actually being healthy for the playoffs this season.

Stamkos will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury and won’t play on Saturday either. This isn’t surprising as the Lightning obviously want their star centre to be good-to-go for the playoffs. The plan right now is to have Stamkos practice next week ahead of the postseason.

Even though Tuesday’s game is really important for the Lightning, Stamkos just isn’t quite ready to play after re-aggravating a nagging lower-body injury on Sunday. With Stamkos out, Brayden Point will centre the Lighting’s top line with Nikita Kucherov and J.T. Miller.

Stamkos left Sunday’s game against the Predators and did not return. Tomorrow is a crucial game for the Lightning as they play host to their Atlantic Division foe, the Boston Bruins. Monitor Stammer’s status during the Lightning’s morning skate, his availability for that should be directly related to his availability for the game.

Saros stopped six of seven shots in the Predators loss to the Sabres last night. Saros finished the month at 3-0-2 with a 2.76 GAA and .919 SV% and he starts April with his second start of the year vs. the Lightning—he allowed four goals on 31 shots in a 4-3 OT loss to Tampa Bay in late-January.

With Eeli Tolvanen set to make his NHL debut, Forsberg is expected to take a seat tonight. Tolvanen will take his spot on the top line with Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson.

This is a tough break for owners who are relying on Stamkos in the finals this week, but it head coach Jon Cooper said it is not a long-term injury. Stamkos is listed as day-to-day and should travel for the Lightning's back-to-back in Boston/New York later this week.