Steven Stamkos is serving as an inspiration for the Lightning as the defending Eastern Conference champions attempt to make a deep playoff run without him.

He was back on the ice with teammates Tuesday, participating in shooting and skating drills for the first time since undergoing surgery for a blood clot discovered near his right collarbone this month.

Stamkos and coach Jon Cooper, however, stressed he is not anywhere close to being ready to face the Islanders in a second-round series that begins Wednesday night.

"Nothing's changed from the original timeline," said Stamkos, who wore a red noncontact sweater during an hourlong practice.