Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee during Tuesday’s game at the Detroit Red Wings, which the Lightning won 4-3.
Stamkos, who signed an eight-year, $68 million contract with the Lightning on June 29, left the game in the first period after a fall against the boards during a penalty kill. He played four shifts and had a little over two minutes of ice time.
Stamkos scored his ninth goal of the season at 6:09 of the first period, giving Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead. He is tied for second in the NHL with Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin with 20 points.
During a game at the Boston Bruins in 2013 Stamkos crashed into the goal post, breaking his right tibia, causing him to miss 45 games. In 2016 he missed every game except one during the Lightning’s run to the Eastern Conference Final while recovering from a blood clot near his collarbone.
The Lightning continue a four-game road trip against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
