After saying there’s a chance defenseman Matt Carle could play Game 5 at MSG prior to boarding a flight for New York on Saturday, Lightning coach Jon Cooper was a little more optimistic Sunday morning.
“I think he’s going to be available,” said Cooper.
Carle missed Game 4 with an undisclosed injury.
The 30-year-old, who has two assists in 16 playoff games this spring, left Game 3 following a collision with Derek Stepan.
Mark Barberio took Carle’s spot in the lineup in Game 4. The 25-year-old was a minus-1 in 8:44 of ice time.
Puck drop tonight is at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN.