Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said Wednesday the team plans to have Steven Stamkos in the lineup for Game 1 of their first-round series.

Stamkos later confirmed he would play to Joe Smith of The Athletic, stating it was the best he's "felt in a couple of weeks."

Stamkos missed the last three games of the season due to a lower-body injury, but has practiced with the Lightning each of the past three days.

The 28-year-old has appeared in 78 games this season for the Lighting and scored 27 goals with 59 assists.

Tampa finished first in the Eastern Conference this season with a 54-23-5 record. 

The Lightning open their series against the Devils on Thursday night.