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TAMPA Barrett Hayton Jersey Womens , Fla. (AP) Steven Stamkos is back on the ice, eager to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning into the NHL playoffs.The five-time All-Star missed the last three games of the regular season with a lower-body injury. He returned to practice this week and hopes to be ready Thursday for the start of a first-round series against the New Jersey Devils.”It was obviously tough,” said Stamkos, who watched the Lightning go 2-0-1 down the stretch to hold off the Boston Bruins for the Atlantic Division title and No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.”You want to be in those games. But the more important games are now, and I just want to make sure I feel as good as possible heading into the playoffs Michael Grabner Jersey Womens ,” the team’s second-leading scorer added. ”Hopefully it keeps progressing and I can feel good come Thursday.”Stamkos, a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, rebounded from missing most of last season with a knee injury to bolster the NHL’s most prolific offense with 27 goals and a career-high 59 assists for 86 points in 78 games.The 28-year-old center anticipates a tough matchup against the young Devils, who won all three regular-season meetings between the teams.”It doesn’t really matter where you finish (in the standings) any more. All these other teams are their own different animals come playoff time,” Stamkos said. ”It’s a fresh start once you get into the playoffs. Regular season is regular season. We all know that.”Stamkos’ health figures as a key to the series.He missed 65 games after undergoing surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee last season http://www.sanjosesharksteamshop.com/authentic-brent-burns-jersey , when the Lightning narrowly missed the playoffs. Two years ago, a blood clot discovered near his collarbone sidelined the center from late in the regular season until Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when Tampa Bay lost to eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh.The Lightning didn’t practice Tuesday, but coach Jon Cooper said the team remained hopeful of having Stamkos back for Game 1 against the Devils.Stamkos is optimistic, too Marian Hossa Jersey Womens , though with his history of injuries in recent seasons he has no illusions about being completely healthy when he returns.”Listen, my body will never be 100 percent, regardless, going through the stuff I’ve been through,” the No. 1 overall pick from the 2008 draft said. ”So there’s no point asking about percentages.”— LOS ANGELES (AP) — All-Star outfielder George Springer left Houston’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after injuring his left thumb trying to steal second base in the third inning Sunday.Springer exited with discomfort in his thumb following a headfirst dive into the bag. He was thrown out by Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal.It’s unclear how long the 2017 World Series MVP might be sidelined.“At first Womens Evander Kane Jersey , I thought it was the base that caught him and then when I got out there both (Chris) Taylor and (Brian) Dozier told me that the glove clipped his (left) hand,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said after his team’s 3-2 loss. “He was in a lot of pain. It bothered him, so it was an easy decision to bring him out. He is going to get evaluated. Other than that I have no idea.”Jake Marisnick replaced Springer in center field for the Astros. Marisnick robbed Taylor of a home run to end the sixth.Springer was the World Series MVP last year after hitting five home runs in seven games against the Dodgers. He went deep in the first inning Sunday for his sixth leadoff home run this season.The two-time All-Star also left Tuesday’s game at Seattle when he injured his left shoulder while diving to make a catch in the first inning. He was not in the Astros’ lineup Wednesday.Springer started all three games in the weekend series against the Dodgers, getting an extra-base hit in each game of the World Series rematch.