Tampa Bay forward Steve Stamkos -- the NHL’s leader in goals and points -- suffered a broken right tibia during Monday’s 3-0 loss in Boston, the Lightning have announced.
UPDATE: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has confirmed Stamkos will undergo surgery to fix the break.
“At this point Steven will be out indefinitely,” Yzerman said in a statement. “The medical staff in Boston, in consultation with our team physicians, has made the decision to surgically repair the injury. The procedure is expected to take place [Tuesday] morning.”
Here’s video and a GIF of the incident:
Erik Erlendsson is the Tampa Bay Lightning beat writer for the Tampa Tribune.
Trainers are trying to immobilze Stamkos' right leg
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) November 11, 2013
They had Stamkos' right leg raised as he went off on the stretcher . . . don't want to speculate too much but broken bone seems logical
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) November 11, 2013
Sure looks like on the replay that this could be as serious as it looks; his right leg appeared to snap as it hit the post
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) November 11, 2013
This, of course, is potentially awful news for the Lightning, but also for Team Canada, for whom Stamkos was a lock to play for at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
If the above fears are true -- Stamkos was taken to a local hospital for X-rays -- this would be the first serious injury of his career. The 23-year-old is currently tied with the Blues’ Alexander Steen for the most goals (14) in the NHL.
Update (3:57 p.m. ET)
TSN’s Aaron Ward is reporting Stamkos has a broken tibia that will require surgery. No timeline for recovery provided.
Update (4:44 p.m. ET)
The Lightning have confirmed Stamkos suffered a broken right tibia, and will be out indefinitely.