Stars' Bowness expects Stamkos to play in final

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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