Stamkos expected to play in Game 1 vs. Devils

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper says he plans to have captain Steven Stamkos in the lineup when his team hosts the New Jersey Devils for Game 1 of their playoff series Thursday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

Stamkos sat out the club's final three games of the regular season as he dealt with a lower-body injury suffered April 1 versus the Nashville Predators.

The 28-year-old was listed as day to day as he recovered, but the Lightning managed to win two of three down the stretch to clinch the top spot in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference with 113 points.

In 78 games, Stamkos recorded 86 points - his highest total since 2011-12.