Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said that he doesn’t think Stamkos will play in Game 2 but didn’t rule it out either. That makes Stamkos a game-time decision but more doubtful than probable. The Lightning have scored just four goals in their last three games (1.33 GF/gm) so they could use a 400-goal scorer.
When head coach Jon Cooper met with the media on Monday he said that everything is "status quo" which suggests that Stamkos is still "out indefinitely." Unless he's keeping things close to the vest ahead of Game 1, don't expect Stamkos to be out there on Tuesday afternoon.
Stamkos will miss his third straight round-robin game on Saturday and Jon Cooper's update on his status was not very positive. He noted that Stamkos is "working his tail off" to get back but added that for now "Stamkos is out indefinitely." The Lighting did not need him during the round-robin but that could change come Round 1.
Saros had an ugly start to the 2020 playoffs, giving up three goals in the first 16 minutes of Game 1. However, like he rest of his team, he settled in and Nashville nearly came back from 3-0 down. He finished the game with 33 saves on 37 shots (.892 SV%) and that was enough for the Predators to go back to him in a super important Game 2.
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper expects Stamkos to skate on Tuesday but will not play tomorrow vs. the Bruins. Tampa Bay won their first round-robin game vs. the Capitals without Stamkos and it's evident they won't rush him back for these pre-playoff games.
Stamkos didn't practice Saturday after training in three-straight sessions with his teammates in Toronto on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Head coach Jon Cooper said they never really had plans for Stamkos to play in Game 1 of the round-robin. With Stamkos likely out, Ondrej Palat will move to the top line with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov.
When the season was paused, Stamkos was out after undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury. He was 100 percent healthy in his return to the ice but suffered a new lower-body injury in a training session in Tampa Bay. Still, GM Julien BriseBois fully expects Stamjos to be ready for the round-robin that starts for the Lighting on August 3rd.
Florida selected Denisenko with the No.15 overall pick in 2018. The 19-year-old winger has spent the last two seasons playing a minimal role in the KHL, posting just 12 points (6G / 6A) in 38 games this past season. However, while playing against players of his age, Denisenko has flourished. He has represented Russia at the World Juniors in each of the last two years and has combined for 18 points (7G / 11A) in 14 games. He should be in a Panthers' uniform in 2020-21 and will be among the pre-season favourites to win the Calder Trophy.
Colorado picked Annunen in the third round of the 2018 draft and is viewed as the potential future in net for them. The 20-year-old netminder was spectacular in the Finnish Elite League in 2019-20, going 15-5-3 while leading the league in both GAA (1.77) and SV% (.920). He also represented Finland at the World Juniors in 2020, where he finished the tournament with a 2.65 GAA and .916 SV% in six starts.
The Flyers selected Allison in the second-round (No.52 overall) of the 2016 draft and finished his senior season at Western Michigan University with 10 goals and 13 assists (23 points) in 26 games.
Rueschhoff was an undrafted free agent right winger, who was third on Western Michigan University with 26 points (12G / 14A) in 36 games. Rueschhoff will likely head back to University for his senior season before turning pro.
Nashville selected Novak all the way back in 2015 as a third-round pick. After finished his four years at the University of Minnesota, Novak joined the Predators AHL affiliate in Milwaukee where he eared an NHL contract by finishing second on the team in assists (31) and third in points (42) in 60 games.
