Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos will return for the team's game Friday against the Washington Capitals, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.
The team lost its captain during a Nov. 21 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks when he suffered a lower-body injury in the first period, according to Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper. Stamkos played just over five minutes in the contest but remained on the bench for the second and third periods.
Cooper said Wednesday that Stamkos skated with the team during the morning's practice and is still progressing back from injury.
Per Coop, it is a lower-body injury for Steven Stamkos, who did not play in the second or third periods tonight.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 22, 2019
Coop says Stamkos was given the option but wanted to stay on the bench and be there with his teammates. #TBLvsCHI
"He wanted to be on the bench with his teammates and cheer them on," Cooper said. "I thought that was a big move for him and us."
Stamkos is tied with Victor Hedman for second on the Lightning with 20 points (seven goals) this season. Nikita Kucherov has 24 (nine goals, 15 assists).