Former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is set to make his annual return to Benchmark International Arena tonight, as the Lightning host the Nashville Predators.
Stamkos has been a key part of the Predators' success as of late, helping them win five of their last seven games. During that time, he has scored five goals, including a two-goal performance against the Vegas Golden Knights. He did struggle offensively in the Predators' most recent outing against the Montreal Canadiens, recording just one shot on goal and not making it onto the scoresheet.
Stamkos has only played at Benchmark International Arena once since departing the Lightning organization, but during that game he registered two assists. In three games against the Lightning, he's maintained a point-per-game pace but has yet to score a goal while facing his long-time organization.
At 36 years of age, Stamkos isn't the same player that we saw in Tampa a decade ago. Despite that, there's a strong chance that he finishes the 2025-26 season with 40 or more goals for the eighth time in his career. He's helped the Predators claw back from a 30th place finish last season, as they currently sit in the Western Conference's second wild card spot.