Stamkos to miss four months

Given the choice, the Tampa Bay Lightning would prefer not to be in the position of having to once again prove it is capable of succeeding without captain Steven Stamkos.

On Wednesday, the team announced Stamkos was out indefinitely with a torn ligament in his right knee after being hurt in the first period of a 4-3 win at Detroit on Tuesday.

Later on Thursday, it was announced that Stamkos had surgery and was expected to miss four months.

The injury is the latest recent setback for the 2008 No. 1 draft pick who signed an eight-year, $68-million contract last June to remain in Tampa Bay rather than test free agency.