PITTSBURGH -- Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman returned to the lineup Monday night for the first time since he broke his left leg on March 25.
Stralman, 29, was paired with Matt Carle to start the game but rejoined his customary partner, Victor Hedman, later as he made his return for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Stralman quickly made a difference, as he scored the team's first goal of the game late in the first period.
The injury news wasn't all positive for the Lightning, however, as forward Ryan Callahan (undisclosed) and goalie Ben Bishop (leg) were not in the lineup.
Callahan practiced with the team Sunday but did not participate in the team's optional morning skate Monday at Consol Energy Center. He has one goal and two assists for three points in 11 playoff games this season.
Bishop suffered a leg injury in Game 1 and had to be removed from the ice on a stretcher. Although Bishop said the injury was nowhere near as bad as he initially feared, it was enough to keep him out of Game 2, despite his being referred to as day-to-day.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, who came on in relief of Bishop in Game 1, got the start in Game 2. He was backed up by Kristers Gudlevskis.
The Lightning are also awaiting the return of Steven Stamkos, who had surgery in early April to remove a blood clot in his right collarbone area.
For the Penguins, defenseman Olli Maatta was a healthy scratch, and Justin Schultz was inserted into the lineup. Pittsburgh got a scare during warmups, when Patric Hornqvist, who was not wearing a helmet at the time, was hit in the head by a puck. Despite that, the veteran forward was able to play.
Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh are tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven series after the Penguins notched a 3-2 overtime win Monday.
