Stamkos testing new medication that could accelerate return

Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning's medical staff are testing a new method of treatment that could help spur on his return to the lineup.

The captain's switched to an injectable form of the blood-thinning medication he's been required to take after having surgery to repair a blood clot near his right collarbone in early April.

Using this method, Stamkos could return to the lineup while still receiving the assistance of blood thinners.

"There have been guys that have played in this league who are on it," Stamkos told Postmedia's Mike Zeisberger on Sunday.

Stamkos said that Kimmo Timonen, who went on to win a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks, used this method last season with the Philadelphia Flyers when first returning from his bout with blood clots.

"I think for me, too, even just being able to read articles like that and know guys have done that puts your mind at ease a little bit," Stamkos said.

He isn't expected to be in the lineup Monday when the Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins square off in Game 2.