Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos was a full participant at practice on Monday after missing the last three games of the season with a lower-body injury, according to Joe Smith of The Athletic. 

 Smith asked Stamkos if he expected to be ready for Game 1 of his team's first-round series on Monday. "That's the hope," replied Stamkos, who skated with regular linemates J.T. Miller and Nikita Kucherov.

The 28-year-old has appeared in 78 games this season for the Lighting and scored 27 goals with 59 assists.

Tampa finished first in the Eastern Conference this season with a 54-23-5 record. 

Game 1 of their opening round series against the New Jersey Devils goes Thursday from Amalie Arena.