Steven Stamkos stumbles off the ice and will not return due to what appears to be a serious knee injury

Late in the first period of tonight's Lightning and Blackhawks game, Tampa Bay suffered what could be a serious injury for their team late in the season and in the playoffs.

Steven Stamkos took a seemingly harmless hit along the boards and fell awkwardly to his side. Everything looked okay until Stamkos stood up, where he showed a guy-wrenching reaction realizing that something wasn't right with his knee.


Losing their captain with just weeks until the playoffs would significantly impact any team, but if anyone is up for the challenge, it's the Tampa Bay Lightning.


Stamkos, 33 years old, is having another productive season in his remarkable career, scoring 27 goals and 66 points in 65 games.