Josh Bailey: 'I'm optimistic' about playing tomorrow

Bailey does not have a hip flexor strain, as the team initially announced; it's a hip pointer, basically a bruise on his hipbone. He was held out of practice today for the second straight day but said he will skate in the morning in Tampa and hopes to push to play against the Lightning.

"I've had this before, in juniors -- it's something you play through," Bailey said. "It's not a muscle problem or anything like that. It's just sore, and sometimes you get hit on it the wrong way.

"I'm pretty optimistic about playing tomorrow. We don't really get many opportunities to rest, so that's why (I didn't practice today). We'll play it by ear, I guess, for tomorrow."

Trent Hunter (foot) was back at practice, so at least one of him and Bailey should play tomorrow, alleviating the need to recall a forward from Bridgeport.

Radek Martinek (illness) also returned to practice today.