EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach Rick Bowness of the Dallas Stars reacts during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning Game One of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on September 19, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Stars' Bowness expects Stamkos to play in final

6 years ago
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Dallas Stars head coach Rick Bowness believes Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos will return from injury at some point in the Stanley Cup Final.

"We're expecting Steven to play at some point," Bowness said, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno. "Listen, he's a great player. He changes the whole look on the power play. So that's a big factor."

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters on Sunday that the team is hopeful the captain plays but he's "not exactly sure when that's going to be." Cooper added that "as of now I don't think" Stamkos will play in Game 2 on Monday.

Stamkos has missed the entire postseason with an undisclosed injury and hasn't suited up for a game since Feb. 25. He ranked second on the team behind Nikita Kucherov in both goals and points during the regular season.

The Stars lead the series 1-0 following a 4-1 victory on Saturday.

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