For the foreseeable future, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be without their captain and second-leading scorer Steven Stamkos.
The 30-year-old Stamkos had surgery Monday in St. Louis to repair a core muscle injury. He is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks while recuperating and rehabilitating.
While Stamkos was going under the knife, his Lightning teammates were 865 miles away at AMALIE Arena, practicing and preparing for a critical Atlantic Division matchup Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, critical in terms of the Bolts' chances of catching the Bruins for first place in the division.
Lightning forced to adjust to life without Stamkos
In addition to missing Stamkos' scoring touch, the Bolts will be without his leadership in the locker room for the rest of the regular season

© Scott Audette/Getty Images
Video Player is loading.
Cooper on Stamkos injury and Goodrow
Video Player is loading.
Pat Maroon on Stamkos Injury