TAMPA — Steven Stamkos zipped around the ice during an optional Lightning practice, his red jersey flapping as he skated from end to end.
At the end of the 40-minute session, Stamkos sat down on the home team bench, sweat dripping from his hair as he tried to catch his breath.
Out since April 2 because of a blood clot that required surgery, Stamkos can only wait and prepare for a day that might not come. He skates and works out, hoping it will.
“It’s a waiting game,’’ Stamkos said.
The Lightning captain skated with his teammates for the third consecutive day on Thursday, yet has to be extremely careful not to put himself in a situation where he could be get struck by a puck or suffer any kind of cut.