Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos?underwent surgery on the lateral meniscus tear in his right knee and is expected to miss approximately four months, the team announced on Thursday.The Lightning said Wednesday that Stamkos was out indefinitely, but coach Jon Cooper said the center would be back in time for the playoffs in April.?If we put ourselves in a position to make the playoffs, hes going to be back, Cooper said Thursday. And thatll be better than any trade deadline acquisition that anybody else is going to get.Youve got to take your head out of the sand, dig your heels in and march on. And unfortunately, this has happened to us before and the guys have found a way.TSN was first to report that Stamkos needed surgery.He left the ice in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, favoring his right leg after getting tangled up with Detroits Gustav Nyquist along the boards.According to the Tampa Bay Times, Stamkos clutched the back of his right knee after the collision and stumbled as he made his way toward the Lightning locker room. He did not return and there was little in the way of updates from Cooper after the Lightnings 4-3 victory.Stamkos was off to a tremendous start to the season. His first-period goal Tuesday gave him nine goals on the season, and his 20 points are tied for third among all NHL players.Stamkos missed all but one of Tampa Bays postseason games last spring with a blood clot issue. But after signing an eight-year contract extension that pays him $8.5 million annually to remain with the Lightning, Stamkos returned in full health and played for Canada at the World Cup of Hockey.Stamkos has collected points in seven of the past nine Lightning games, and Tampa Bay is tied for second in the Atlantic Division with Ottawa with a 10-6-1 record.You live in this reality now, and weve just got to have to face it,?defenseman Victor Hedman?said Thursday. Itll be a good test for us. But at the same?time, we know we can handle it, and we know we can win hockey games even though were going to miss him.Information from ESPNs Scott Burnside was used in this report. Cheap Old Skool Vans Wholesale . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Old Skool Vans China Wholesale . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. http://www.cheapoldskool.net/ . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Old Skool Vans Wholesale . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. Old Skool Vans China . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Notre Dame (4-7) at No. 12 Southern California (8-3, No. 12 CFP), 3:30 p.m. (ABC)Line: USC by 17 +.Series Record: Notre Dame leads 46-36-5.WHATS AT STAKEIn the 88th edition of this intersectional rivalry, the Trojans attempt to finish their season on an eight-game winning streak while improving their case for a New Years Day bowl game. USC could also steal a spot in the Pac-12 title game if Utah beats Colorado. The struggling Irish are playing for the Jeweled Shillelagh and not much else.KEY MATCHUPNotre Dame WR Equanimeous St. Brown vs. USC CB Adoree Jackson. The sophomore receiver from Anaheim leads the Irish with 45 catches for 777 yards and eight touchdowns. Jackson has world-class speed and athleticism, but the Thorpe Award finalist has yielded three touchdowns in coverage over the Trojans last two games -- and those were the only TDs allowed by USC in those victories.PLAYERS TO WATCHNotre Dame: LB Nyles Morgan. The junior has been a stable presence in a dismal season, leading the Irish in tackles and leading the defense.USC: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Jackson and Smith-Schuster are almost certainly playing their final home games, and both juniors would love to go out wwith a win.dddddddddddd Smith-Schuster was slowed by an injury last week at UCLA, but would love to add to his 202 career receptions, already sixth in school history.FACTS & FIGURESThe Irish are finishing their awful season under an extra cloud after the NCAA hammered the program this week with sanctions for major academic misconduct. The Trojans know a little something about NCAA sanctions, too. ... The NCAA ordered Notre Dame to vacate its 21 victories in 2012 and 2013, including the final win over USC in 2012 at the Coliseum to complete an unbeaten regular season. ... USC is trying to sweep its two traditional rivals -- UCLA and Notre Dame -- for the 20th season, but the first since 2011. ... Notre Dame hasnt visited the Coliseum with a losing record since 1986. ... USC is only 12-13-1 against unranked Notre Dame teams, including losses in 2010 and 2013. ... USC QB Sam Darnold gets his first shot at the Irish. The freshman has thrown 22 touchdown passes during the Trojans winning streak.---AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '