EDMONTON, Alberta -- Steven Stamkos is back in the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup for the first time in the bubble.
The Lightning captain is making his postseason debut on Wednesday in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Dallas Stars. The series is tied, 1-1.
Stamkos has not played in a game since Feb. 25. On March, he underwent surgery to repair a core muscle surgery, and had an initial recovery timeline of six to eight weeks. Stamkos joined his team for voluntary workouts over the summer, but apparently re-aggravated the injury and has had at least one set back since then.