Stamkos Returns to Tampa Bay: A New Chapter as a Predator

Steven Stamkos will experience a significant milestone on Monday when he faces his former team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, for the first time as a member of the Nashville Predators. Having played in Amalie Arena countless times, this matchup will mark his debut as a visitor.

This game is particularly noteworthy as it is the first meeting between the Predators and the Lightning since Stamkos signed a four-year contract with Nashville. The former Lightning captain anticipates a whirlwind of emotions, especially when encountering familiar faces. “That's going to be probably the toughest part, emotionally, is just the relationships that my family has had with everyone,” Stamkos stated, as reported by NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin.

Prior to his departure, Stamkos was unable to finalize an agreement with Tampa Bay and became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He leaves the franchise holding records for games played (1,082), goals (555), and points (1,137). During his tenure, the Lightning secured back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021, and Stamkos earned two Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies.

As for his performance with the Predators, the 34-year-old has scored just one goal in eight games. The Predators come into the contest with a three-game winning streak after starting the season 0-5, while the Lightning have a record of 5-3-0 early in the season.