Matt Carle returns to Lightning lineup for Game 5 vs. Rangers

Matt Carle will be back in the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup for Sunday's Game 5 versus the New York Rangers.

The defenseman was forced from Game 3 after a collision with Derek Stepan, and watched the Rangers even the series at two games apiece in Game 4 while nursing the undisclosed injury from the press box.

Though he represents a significant upgrade on Mark Barberio, Carle hasn't necessarily been a force in his 16 postseason starts. He's contributed two assists and 16 shots for the most potent offensive attack in these playoffs, and features a team-worst minus-6 rating.

Tampa Bay will continue to roll with seven defensemen, dressing Nikita Nesterov in favor of a 12th forward.