Steven Stamkos Leg Injury: Tampa Bay Lightning Star Taken Off Ice On Stretcher After Collision With Goal Post [VIDEO]

Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos probably will miss an extended amount of action after suffering a gruesome leg injury on Monday.

The injury occurred during the second period of Tampa Bay’s Veteran’s Day showdown with the Boston Bruins, Larry Brown Sports notes. Stamkos was defending against a Bruins offensive rush when he got tangled up with defenseman Doug Hamilton near the Lightning net.

Stamkos slid toward the left goalpost, losing his footing in the process. As the 23-year-old fell, his right shin collided with the post and appeared to bend in the wrong direction, probably indicating a broken bone.

Initially, Stamkos attempted to struggle to his feet, only to collapse back to the ground. Eventually, the Lightning training staff placed Stamkos on a stretcher and carried him off the ice. He was taken to a local hospital for X-rays, but the severity of his leg injury has yet to be determined.

Given the angle of Stamkos’ collision with the goalpost, it’s fair to assume that he suffered some sort of broken bone. If he did indeed suffer a broken leg, the Lightning will have to make do without him for at least a few months. A GIF of the injury can be viewed here, courtesy of The Big Lead.

For Tampa Bay, replacing Stamkos will be no easy task. His 14 goals, nine assists, and 23 points are all team-leading marks, and have played an instrumental role in the Lightning’s rise to first place in the Eastern Conference standings.

A video of Stamkos’ gruesome leg injury can also be viewed over at The Big Lead. But be careful—the video isn’t for the faint of heart.