UPDATE: Lightning confirm Stamkos has broken tibia, surgery on Tuesday

5:48 p.m EST – Per Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman – Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos was diagnosed with a broken tibia in his right leg [Monday] in Boston, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.

“At this point Steven will be out indefinitely,” Yzerman said. “The medical staff in Boston, in consultation with our team physicians, has made the decision to surgically repair the injury. The procedure is expected to take place [Tuesday] morning. The biggest concern for me, and the rest of the Lightning, is that decisions are made in Steven’s best long-term interest, and we feel this is the appropriate course of action.”

4:45 p.m EST – Per Tampa Bay Times Damian Cristodero, the Lightning confirm that Stamkos has a broken tibia but did not mention anything about surgery. Stammer is out indefinitely. 

4:04 p.m EST – Per TSN’s Aaron Ward, Stamkos broke his tibia on Monday and will need surgery to repair the damage. He is out indefinitely.

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Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos left Monday afternoon’s contest against the Bruins on a stretcher after crashing into the post.

Stamkos was back checking hard when he lost his balance and slid feet first into the Tampa Bay goal. His right leg bent in a way that you do not normally see a leg bend. Stamkos tried to get up and skate off before falling back to the ice in obvious distress. The Lightning trainers rushed out to Stamkos and immobilized his right leg before escorting him off of the ice on a stretcher.

According to the Tampa Bay broadcast, Stammer was taken to a local Boston hospital for X-rays. Following the X-rays the Lightning will likely release a statement identifying the nature and severity of the young snipers injury.

This is obviously a huge blow for the Lightning and Stamkos’ fantasy owners (myself included) but also Team Canada’s Olympic team should it be as serious as it looked.

Stamkos was off to a torrid start to the season, scoring 14 goals and adding nine assists in the first 16 games. His 23 points had him tied with Sidney Crosby for the NHL lead. Stamkos has never missed an NHL game because of an injury, he had dressed in 358 consecutive contests – a streak that will come to an unfortunate end tomorrow in Montreal.

In the meantime expect Valtteri Filppula and Tyler Johnson to see increased roles down the middle.