Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Working for the weekend: Stamkos aims to return Saturday vs. Detroit

Steven Stamkos

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 10: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning (L) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with teammates Radko Gudas #7 (C) and Matt Carle #25 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on October 10, 2013 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Stamkos Watch now has a target date.

Steven Stamkos, out since November with a broken leg, is aiming to return to action on Saturday against Detroit, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The game will be played at the Tampa Bay Times Forum and is the Bolts’ last before the Olympic break, so the event will be met with equal parts excitement and nervousness -- excitement, as it’ll be Stamkos’ first appearance in over 40 games...and nervousness, as he’ll be cutting it close with regards to a decision for participation in the Winter Games.

According to the Times, the Detroit game will essentially decide if Stamkos is fit to play for Team Canada in Sochi or not.

The 23-year-old has been skating for a few weeks and, on Monday, said he felt good during practice with no reported issues during 5-on-5 battle drills. Tampa Bay finishes up a four-game road swing tomorrow in Minnesota before going home for a mini two-game stand against the Leafs and Wings, so Stamkos will have more opportunities to practice before potentially drawing into the lineup on Saturday.