Lilleberg has not played since mid-December due to an undisclosed injury, but is set to return in Tampa Bay's first game back from the Olympic break on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging 17:21 time-on-ice and has six points (2G / 4A) in 32 games this season.
Lileberg was limited to 13:30 time-on-ice in Tampa Bay's 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday, and has been placed on Injured Reserve. The 24-year-old defenseman will be sidelined for, at minimum, one week before he is eligible to return. He has six points (2G / 4A) in 32 games this season.
Lilleberg was issued a two-minute penalty for interference on J.T. Compher of the Detroit Red Wings and was ultimately given a two-game suspension after a hearing with the Department of Player Safety. The 23-year-old Lilleberg is averaging 15:51 time-on-ice and has 11 points (0G / 11A) in 45 games this season.
Lilleberg came over from Sweden last season and split his time between the AHL and NHL. During his time with the Lightning, the 23-year-old defenseman had five assists and a minus-15 rating in 37 games. Expect Lilleberg to be in a battle with Nick Perbix to be the Lightning's No.6 defenseman in 2024-25.
Martinsen-Lilleberg will play in place of Nicklaus Perbix, who is listed as a scratch. Martinsen-Lilleberg has no goals and three assists in 23 games this season.
Lilleberg made a strong impact in his first career appearance with Tampa Bay but has been reassigned to Syracuse (AHL) after the Lightning made some deadline acquisitions. The 23-year-old Norweigan rookie will head back to the minors with three assists,17 SOG, eight PIMs and a -14 plus/minus in 23 games played with Tampa Bay.
Declan Carlile and Sean Day have both been reassigned to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, prompting the Lightning to recall Martinsen-Lilleberg and Jack Thompson. In his first season in North America, Martinsen-Lilleberg has 12 points (1G / 11A) in 31 games with Syracuse.
Martinsen-Lilleberg was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft by the Coyotes. He signed a two-year deal with the Lightning after recording 11 points (3G / 8A) in 46 games with Oskarshamn IK (SHL).
