Out since November, Stamkos now day to day

Steven Stamkos is inching closer to a return.

The Tampa Bay Lightning captain's injury timeline is now considered day to day, coach Jon Cooper told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

Stamkos has been sidelined for more than four months after suffering a knee injury, with his last game coming Nov. 15 against the Detroit Red Wings.

At Lightning practice Wednesday, Stamkos skated on a line with Yanni Gourde and Adam Erne while also working with the second power-play unit.

Tampa Bay remains in the thick of the playoff race, three points back of the Boston Bruins for the second wild-card seed with one game in hand.

The Lightning have seven games remaining, and while Stamkos won't play in Thursday's contest against Detroit, he has not yet been ruled out for Saturday.

Stamkos has registered nine goals and 11 assists in 17 games this season.