Sergachev makes surprise return in Game 4 win

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev returned to the lineup for Saturday's pivotal Game 4 win against the Florida Panthers.

Sergachev played 17:03 in the 6-3 victory and tallied an assist.

"The docs cleared me, and it was the coach's decision, so I stayed at the rink a little longer waiting for coach to say yes or no, and he said yes," Sergachev told Bally Sports Florida's Gabby Shirley. "I got very excited and, honestly, I couldn't really sleep last night.

"It felt like my first NHL game again, and then you go on the ice, and you get that from the fans in the warmup. It made me very emotional, and I am just thankful to be here and thankful for the guys."

Sergachev fractured his tibia and fibula in a game on Feb. 7. It was his first contest back from a different lower-body injury that had kept him out the previous 17 games.

Head coach Jon Cooper said earlier in April that Sergachev would miss the first round. His return comes just 79 days after undergoing surgery for his leg fractures.

Tampa Bay put Sergachev back in the starting lineup alongside partner Erik Cernak for Game 4.

However, Darren Raddysh sat out Saturday after the defenseman suffered an injury in Game 3.

Sergachev tallied two goals and 19 points in 34 contests during the regular season. The 25-year-old has 98 playoff games under his belt.

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