Stamkos, Preds anticipate ‘special moment’ ahead of game against Lightning

“I don’t really know what to expect,” Stamkos told a larger-than-normal media contingent on the ground in Tampa. “It’s not something you really know, I guess, until you go through it… Obviously the excitement level is (high) to be back in the city and in this building where, as I said, there are so many great memories have been for a really long time. So I’m sure the emotions will kick in when game time approaches and you hit the ice, and it will definitely be special.”

Stamkos said he does not currently have a full contingent; his wife and parents made the trip, while his children are back home in Nashville. For the younger members of the Stamkos family, the 34-year-old says he thought the adjustment from one city to another might have been the hardest for them, but that hasn’t been the case.

“The kids aren’t here tonight, they have to go to school, so that’s important,” Stamkos smiled. “But it’s funny, you’ve been playing here for so long, and you have all these great memories, and your kids are still young; I mean, maybe they don’t remember that aspect of it. Their new normal is a Nashville Predator. The mascot (GNASH) came over, I think the second day we were (in Nashville), and they changed (loyalties) pretty quickly. It’s funny how that works, but they enjoy it. They enjoy coming to the ice rink. I mean, that’s the beauty of unconditional love, right? You come home, it doesn’t matter what mood I’m in, they’re happy to see daddy and they’re proud. That’s what helps you sleep at night.’