Stamkos ready for his first game
via Tampa Tribune:
Steven Stamkos walked off the Lightning team bus early Friday evening, and as he made his way into the team hotel, he obliged two autograph-seekers who politely asked him to sign their paraphernalia.
“Hey Stammer, your first mark,” goaltender Mike Smith quipped to the 18-year-old Stamkos.
Tonight will mark a much more significant first in the early stages of Stamkos’ hockey career as he suits up in his first NHL game, albeit a preseason one against defending Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh.
Yet considering the lineup the Penguins are expected to put on the ice – a loaded group that includes Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Sergei Gonchar and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury – Stamkos is going to be tested when he steps on the ice.
“There’s no better test than the best player in the league,” Stamkos said. “It’s going to be a good experience – hopefully a good experience – and we’ll have to see how it goes.”
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