Lightning captain Steven Stamkos out for Game 5 vs. Stars
After winning Game 4 against the Dallas Stars 5-4 in overtime, the Tampa Bay Lightning have the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup on Saturday night.
The Bolts, though, will once again be without captain Steven Stamkos for Game 5, head coach Jon Cooper confirmed. Stamkos played just the first period of Game 3 before exiting and being ruled out for the remainder of the game and Game 4.
Tampa Bay has done just fine without Stamkos thus far, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins and New York Islanders to reach the Stanley Cup Final in his absence. In his first game since February, though, Stamkos lit the lamp to help Tampa Bay win Game 3 on Wednesday, signifying that his impact is pretty large.
While Stamkos certainly can help the Lightning in their quest for the Stanley Cup, there's no reason to rush him back onto the ice, particularly after taking a 3-1 series lead.
If the Lighting win the Stanley Cup on Saturday night, it'll be their first since the 2003-04 season.
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