Stamkos (undisclosed) said after Wednesday's Game 3 versus the Stars there's an issue that he's still working through, Kevin McGran of The Toronto Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos was active for Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 3, but he skated just five shifts in the contest. He scored a goal, but didn't play in the second or third periods. It's unclear at this time if Stamkos is going to be available for a back-to-back for Games 4 and 5 on Friday and Saturday.

Stamkos (undisclosed) was missing from the bench to start the second period of Wednesday's Game 3 against Dallas, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos returned to the lineup for the first time this postseason while dealing with a lower-body issue. Even though he snipped a goal on his only shot in the first period, he only saw 3:08 of ice time. As long as Stamkos is out of the lineup, the team will roll with 11 forwards.

Stamkos (lower body) is in the lineup and will play in Wednesday's Game 3 against the Stars, Kevin McGran of The Toronto Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is a huge boost for the Lightning with Stamkos making his postseason debut in the Stanley Cup Final, as he has not seen game action in 215 days. Before the season was paused and he dealt with injury, Stamkos was riding a 15-game point streak, racking up 12 goals and 22 points across that span. The 30-year-old took line rushes on the fourth line with Cedric Paquette and Patrick Maroon during warmups, so it's unclear just how much ice time he'll receive Wednesday.

Stamkos (lower body) will not be available for Game 2 against Dallas on Monday, Tim Campbell of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos has been back on the ice skating with his teammates but he still doesn't appear too close to a return. Barring a major turnaround, the 30-year-old forward seems likely to miss the rest of the postseason.

Stamkos (lower body) is unlikely to play in Monday's Game 2 against Dallas, though he hasn't been officially ruled out, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Considering Stamkos hasn't appeared in an NHL game since Feb. 25 against Toronto, it would be a surprise to see him back in action in the Stanley Cup Final. Still, the elite center racked up 66 points in 57 games this season and would no doubt provide a boost to the Lightning attack, which could use all the help it can get after registering just one goal in Game 1.

Stamkos (lower body) won't be available for Saturday's Game 1 against the Stars, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos began skating with his teammates earlier this week, so he's clearly making progress in his rehab, but there's still no timetable for his return to game action. At this point the 30-year-old pivot should be considered a longshot at best to suit up for Monday's Game 2.

Stamkos (lower body) has been skating with his teammates but is no closer to getting back into game action, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Already ruled out for the Eastern Conference finals, at this point it seems unlikely Stamkos will make a postseason appearance at all. Even if the Lightning advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, there is likely only another couple of weeks for the center to get back to 100 percent and up to game speed. If he can stay healthy next year, Stamkos remains an elite option and should be able to top the point-per-game pace for a fifth straight year.

Coach Jon Cooper said Sunday that Stamkos (lower body) won't be available for the Eastern Conference Final against the Islanders, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's still unclear as to the specific nature of the injury or how Stamkos continues to rehab from the injury, but the fact that he's been ruled out at least the next two weeks is a negative sign. Cooper failed to discuss if Stamkos had been skating with the team, but it still doesn't sound like he appears closing in on a return. The veteran has still yet to be ruled out of the playoffs entirely, so his next chance to suit up would be for the Stanley Cup Final in late September.

According to general manager Julien BriseBois, although Stamkos (lower body) remains out indefinitely, a return at some point during the playoffs has not been ruled out, The Athletic's Joe Smith reports.

EDGE Analysis

Due to the NHL's new injury update policy, the Lightning haven't released any details regarding the specific nature of Stamkos' injury or how his rehab is progressing, but it's at least somewhat encouraging to hear he has yet to be ruled out of the playoffs entirely. Nonetheless, his return certainly doesn't sound imminent. Tampa Bay will take on either the Flyers or Islanders in the Eastern Conference finals, which could begin as early as this weekend.

Stamkos (lower body) is listed as a scratch for Monday's Game 5 against Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos still has yet to resume practicing with his teammates, and until that happens, he should be considered out indefinitely. Tampa Bay will have a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference finals with a win Monday, so the Lightning are in a good position to give Stamkos plenty of additional opportunities to return to the lineup this postseason.