Stamkos returns for Lightning in Game 7 against Penguins

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Tampa Bay Lightning\'s Steven Stamkos skates beside Pittsburgh Penguins\' Bryan Rust (17) during the first period of Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals, Thursday, May 26, 2016, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH – Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos picked an interesting time to make his 2016 playoff debut.

Stamkos returned to Tampa Bay’s lineup on Thursday night for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against Pittsburgh. Stamkos last played on March 31 before undergoing surgery on April 4 to treat a blood clot near his right collarbone. Stamkos will play on the third line between Ondrej Palat and Ryan Callahan.

Stamkos has skated with his teammates in practice the last few weeks but was waiting to be cleared by doctors because he is taking blood thinners as part of his post-surgical protocol.

The 26-year-old Stamkos has 15 goals and 20 assists in 48 career playoff games. He posted 36 goals and 28 assists during the regular season for the Lightning.

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