Video above: Lightning fans gather outside Amalie Arena to cheer on the Bolts as they play the Florida Panthers for Game 4 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay defenseman Mikhail Sergachev was a surprise addition to the lineup for a must-win Game 4 against the Florida Panthers on Saturday night after being out since early February with a broken left leg.
Sergachev had surgery one day after he got hurt during a game at the New York Rangers on Feb. 8.
Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper had said before the playoff series started that the top-four defenseman would miss the matchup. But in his pregame media session, Cooper indicated that some roster decisions would be made after the pregame skate.
Sergachev appeared in 34 regular-season games, picking up two goals and 17 assists.
The Lightning trailed the Panthers 3-0 in the best-of-seven series.