The Tampa Bay Lightning desperately miss Steven Stamkos.

It should come as no surprise that a team would struggle without its captain and highest-paid player, but we're talking about a team that pushed the Pittsburgh Penguins to seven games in the Eastern Conference Final largely without Stamkos, and that seemed built for sustained success even if he'd decided to sign elsewhere as a free agent this past offseason.

Now, in a season where Stamkos has missed 31 of 48 games with a knee injury, the apparent Stanley Cup hopefuls find themselves at the bottom of the conference standings with a 21-22-5 record.

General manager Steve Yzerman has assembled a wealth of talent, but there's no question the Lightning's offense has diminished since Stamkos succumbed to injury.

This can't all be pinned on Stamkos' absence, of course - other key players have also suffered injuries, with Ryan Callahan and Ben Bishop missing the most time.

The fact Yzerman hasn't added to the roster with Stamkos out suggests he trusts the remaining players to get to the postseason, but at least one of them believes the effort isn't quite there.

"It starts with us," said star defenseman Victor Hedman, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "We've got to lead the way out there. Obviously, the leaders on this team have to step up and play better, and that goes with everyone, from goalies to forwards. We're all in this together."

Tampa Bay has posted a record of 11-16-4 without Stamkos, and owns the conference's lowest point percentage as a result. Rebounding back into the playoff picture may be too much to ask, giving Yzerman reason to pause and consider the makeup of his team.

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