Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov, the reigning NHL MVP, was back on the first line for the Lightning on Thursday, finishing with an assist and four shots on 28 shifts during a 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.
After a costly turnover, Kucherov spent most of the third period and then overtime on the bench during the Lightning's 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. It was a particularly surprising move, given Kucherov had scored earlier in the game.
But Thursday, during the team's morning skate, last year's Hart Trophy winner was back on the Lightning's top line with Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat.