Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos said Monday he has been dealing with a left shoulder injury that might be serious enough that it keeps him out of next month's World Championships.

The injury will not require surgery, both Stamkos and general manager Steve Yzerman said. Even so, Stamkos will undergo an MRI exam Monday as a precaution.

Stamkos has never missed an NHL game because of injury in his four-year career, though he admitted the shoulder almost kept him out of the March 10 home game against the Hurricanes.

-- DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer