Stamkos added to NHL's COVID protocols list

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos has been added to the NHL COVID-19 protocols list, it was announced Friday evening.

He is the only Lightning player on the list.

Thx to everyone who has reached out. At this time we suspect a false positive test. Hopefully that’s the case, and I will be back on the ice in the next couple of days 🤞. Until then I will continue to follow the NHL Covid list protocols. https://t.co/TWDEE9Zrfx

— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) February 13, 2021

Stamkos took to Twitter saying he expects Friday's news to be a false positive.

"Thx to everyone who has reached out. At this time we suspect a false positive test. Hopefully that's the case, and I will be back on the ice in the next couple of fays. Until then I will continue to follow the NHL Covid list protocols."

Stamkos missed Thursday's game with a lower-body injury and was originally considered day-to-day. He did not practice on Friday.

The 31-year-old has seven goals and 14 points in 11 games this season.

The 9-2-1 Lightning will be back in action Saturday evening when they take on the Florida Panthers in Sunrise.