Kunitz saw just 8:08 in ice time Saturday against Florida.

EDGE Analysis

It dropped from 10:47 in the opening game. Kunitz signed in Tampa for a shot at a middle-six role and a possible Cup run. At this rate, the 38-year-old winger will be hard pressed to dress every game. He does have three hits in two games.

Kunitz signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Lightning on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Kunitz was part of all three of the Pens' Stanley Cup victories in the Sidney Crosby era and is the only active player with four titles to his name. The gritty winger has seen his role change during his time in Pittsburgh as he went from a top-line scoring threat to a third-line grinder but could get a top-six assignment with Tampa Bay. The 2016-17 season was the first time the veteran failed to break the 30-point mark since his time with the Atlanta Thrashers back in 2005-06 when he played in just two games. If he can secure a more prominent role with the Lightning, the Ferris State product should get back to being a productive fantasy option.

Kunitz was left unprotected by the Penguins for the NHL expansion draft.

EDGE Analysis

Kunitz is an unrestricted free agent which means he could sign with Vegas, making him their selection from the Penguins. With Pittsburgh limited in cap space -- just under $15 million -- there is no guarantee the four-time Stanley Cup champion will be back even if he is not selected in the expansion draft. The 37-year-old was more often in a bottom-six role this season, which certainly affected his production -- 29 points in 71 outings -- but stepped up in the postseason as he racked up two goals and nine helpers.

Kunitz would like to play at least another season, preferably in Pittsburgh, Sam Kasan of Pens Inside Scoop reports.

EDGE Analysis

A drop in production -- just 29 points this season -- combined with being 37 years of age, led many to wonder if Kunitz would go out on top after back-to-back titles. Apparently that thought has not occurred to the four-time champion who has adapted well to his responsibilities as a bottom-six role player. Whether general manager Jim Rutherford can fit the winger under the salary cap -- even if he goes for a discount -- will be one of the many challenges facing Pittsburgh as it heads into the offseason.

Kunitz collected two assists and four PIM during Wednesday's Game 2 win over Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

Kunitz has registered two goals and five assists through his past three games. It's an impressive outburst after missing all of Round 1, and then recording just two helpers over his first 13 postseason games. The 37-year-old veteran is chasing his fourth Stanley Cup, and if Pittsburgh prevails, Kunitz would become the only active player in the NHL to hoist the cup four times.

Kunitz recorded two assists over 15:47 of ice time during Monday's Game 1 win over Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

This was the second consecutive multi-point game for Kunitz, as he scored twice and added an assist during Pittsburgh's Game 7 win over Ottawa to reach the Stanley Cup finals. He missed all of Round 1 against Columbus, and recorded just two assists over his first 13 postseason contests, but the veteran has made a huge impact the past two games for the defending champions.

Kunitz contributed his first two goals of the playoffs and a power-play assist in Thursday's 3-2 double overtime Game 7 victory over Ottawa.

EDGE Analysis

Kunitz opened the scoring 9:55 into the second period, then earned a helper on Justin Schultz's go-ahead tally with 8:16 to play in the third. Unfortunately for the veteran winger and his team, the Senators responded to each of those goals by potting one themselves within the next three minutes. The one-time 35-goal scorer turned back the clock one more time 5:09 into the second overtime, beating netminder Craig Anderson to make Pittsburgh the fifth team in NHL history to advance to the Stanley Cup finals on a Game 7 overtime winner. Kunitz's performance was truly out of left field considering he pulled it off after posting just two assists in his first 13 appearances this postseason.

Kunitz (lower body) will suit up for Thursday's clash with Washington, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kunitz returns to the lineup after a 10-game absence and figures to slot in on the Pens' fourth line in favor of Carter Rowney or Tom Kuhnhackl. The gritty veteran's job will be to make life difficult for Caps netminder Braden Holtby -- a role he is all too familiar with.

As expected, Kunitz (lower body) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's pivotal Game 1 against the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Mike Sullivan's strategy for the season has been to label potentially returning guys as game-time decisions, but after two days of practicing on the Pens' fourth line, it seems like a good bet that Kunitz will be back in action for the first time in 10 games. With the veteran ready to go, Tom Kuhnhackl or Carter Rowney figure to be the leading candidates to get bounced from the game-day lineup.

Kunitz (lower body) told reporters he expects to be ready to go for Game 1 against the Capitals on Thursday, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kunitz has been practicing without limitations, including taking line rushes on the Pens' fourth line according to Michelle Crechiolo of Pens Inside Scoop. Given coach Mike Sullivan's trends when dealing with returning players, the winger will almost certainly be labeled a game-time decision heading into Thursday's matchup, but all signs seem to indicate he will be ready to go.