Lightning’s Hedman, Point among players expected to return against Leafs
While injuries have plagued the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s season, they are looking to be relatively healthy for the first time in a while exiting the Olympic break.
According to Lightning assistant coach Rob Zettler, center Brayden Point and defensemen Charle-Edouard D’Astous, Victor Hedman and Emil Lilleberg are all expected to be ready to play on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Injury updates: @TBLightning assistant coach Rob Zettler tells us Brayden Point, Emil Lilleberg, Charle-Edouard D’Astous and Victor Hedman are all expected to be ready to play tomorrow. #GoBolts
Hedman is the most noteworthy news, as he was absent for Sweden’s 2-1 overtime loss in the quarterfinals against the United States last Wednesday due to a lower-body injury he sustained during the warmup. There was concern it was severe considering Hedman would be willing to miss such an important game, but the Lightning captain understood he wasn’t bigger than the moment.
“Representing your country is about more than yourself,” Hedman said after Lightning practice on Tuesday.
Hedman has already missed 34 games this season due to an elbow injury which eventually required surgery. It’s been a factor in what has been a disappointing season, as he has just 13 assists in 21 games.
The other big news is the potential return of Point, who had missed the last 11 games before the break due to a lower-body injury, resulting in him not being able to play for Canada at the Olympics. Point also missed seven games with an undisclosed injury earlier this season, and has underperformed with just 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points in 37 games.
D’Astous and Lilleberg were also announced as available for Wednesday’s game, however it’s not a guarantee they’ll play due to the depth of the Lightning’s blueline. Hedman, Erik Cernak, Ryan McDonagh, J.J. Moser and Darren Raddysh are locks in the lineup, so it will be between D’Astous, Lilleberg and Declan Carlile for the final spot.
The Lightning currently have 21 active players on their NHL roster, so one player will need to be moved in order to accommodate for D’Astous, Lilleberg and Point’s activation from injured reserve and long-term injured reserve. D’Astous is waiver exempt himself, so it’s possible he is sent to the AHL, but Dominic James is another waiver-exempt option for Tampa.
Zettler also said that Olympic finalists Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel and Erik Cernak were given a scheduled day off to rest, they will also be good for gametime tomorrow. #GoBolts
Injury updates: @TBLightning assistant coach Rob Zettler tells us Brayden Point, Emil Lilleberg, Charle-Edouard D’Astous and Victor Hedman are all expected to be ready to play tomorrow. #GoBolts
The Lightning are also expecting to have Cernak, Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel in the lineup for Wednesday’s games after returning from the Olympics. The three players were provided a league-mandated day off to rest and weren’t at practice, but they’ll be good to go for their matchup with the Leafs.
Despite all the injuries, the Lightning have been one of the best teams in the league, as they sit in first in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference, and are second in the league, with a 37-14-4 record. They’ll look to continue their great season with a healthier lineup when they host the Maple Leafs on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.