The Tampa Bay Lightning will compete in their second consecutive Eastern Conference Final tonight, but will do it without the services of two vitally important members.
Anton Stralman and captain Steve Stamkos, who have missed the entire playoffs thus far due to a broken leg and blood clots, respectively, won’t suit up for Game 1 against the Penguins tonight at Consol.
Stamkos said he's "optimistic" about a return for the Pens series but said there's still no change in his status. #TBLightning
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) May 13, 2016
Stralman is not ready to play yet. Said it's too early to tell if he'd be ready for Game 2 on Monday
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 13, 2016
Of the two, Stralman is expected to return to the lineup the soonest. He’s been participating in full practices, taking reps on the penalty kill and was skating on a pairing with regular d-man partner Victor Hedman, suggesting he could be back soon.
A 22-minutes-per-night guy that’s among the Bolts’ best possession d-men, Stralman is a valuable right-handed shot, on a blueline that doesn’t have many. It’ll be interesting to see how head coach Jon Cooper eventually works him back in, as Stralman hasn’t played since March.
As for Stamkos, the issue around his return seems to be with the blood thinners he’s taking. More on that, from WFLA’s Paul Ryan:
Stamkos is still taking blood thinners, but his doctors have given him reason to be optimistic for a return this series. #PITvsTBL
— Paul Gerke (@PaulGerke) May 13, 2016
Stamkos says he doesn't *HAVE* to be off blood thinners to return to the lineup. He may be able to alter his blood thinner regimen.
— Paul Gerke (@PaulGerke) May 13, 2016
Stamkos did participate in Friday’s practice, and participated in full (meaning sans red no-contact jersey). It’s the first time he’s done that since the blood-clotting diagnosis was revealed in early April.