Steven Stamkos announced today that he will not return to the lineup tonight when the Tampa Bay Lightning face Pittsburgh in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Steven Stamkos confirms he's out for Game 4 tonight.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 20, 2016
Stamkos has not played since March 31 after being diagnosed with a blood clot near his right collarbone. Stamkos’ disorder is called Effort Thrombosis, which is a type of vascular thoracic outlet syndrome. He was originally ruled out for 1-3 months after having surgery on April 4 to remove the clot.
RELATED: Ben Bishop Unlikely to Suit Up For Game 4
The main concern with Stamkos at this point is safety. He confirmed that he isn’t experiencing pain from the ailment, it’s simply a matter of when it’s safe to endure the grind of an NHL game. He has been practicing with the team in full equipment but hasn’t received clearance for game action.
Free Newsletter
Get NHL News coverage delivered to your inbox
In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes - free.
Subscribe Free →
