Steven Stamkos is inching closer to joining the Tampa Bay Lightning for their playoff push.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said Wednesday that he doesn't expect Stamkos to play Thursday against the the Detroit Red Wings, but now considers the team's captain day-to-day.

"I think we can start putting him in the day-to-day category right now," Cooper said, per NHL.com. "I don't see him playing against Detroit. After that, I'd say it's getting really close."

Stamkos, who underwent meniscus surgery on Nov. 16, has been skating with the Lightning for more than a month.

The Lightning have seven games remaining in their season, including key matchups with the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs next week. 

"Today was probably the best day yet," Stamkos said. "Doing better than last time we talked and really feeling better each day now.

"I'm very optimistic about being able to get to where I need to be hopefully sooner rather than later."

Stamkos was given a four-to-six month timetable for recovery from his knee surgery.

He scored nine goals and added 11 assists in 17 games before the knee injury, which occured against the Red Wings on Nov. 15.

The Lightning (37-29-9) sit three points back of the Bruins for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with one game in hand.

Stamkos signed an eight-year, $68 million contract with the Lightning last June.