MONTREAL — The Tampa Bay Lightning are doing their greatest to deal with the absence of Victor Hedman, however competing without their high defenseman throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs has added a big problem.
Hedman was among the many 12 skaters who took to the ice for an optionally available apply at Bell Centre on Saturday, however the Lightning captain just isn’t anticipated to return throughout the Eastern Conference First Round in opposition to the Montreal Canadiens. Tampa Bay trails 2-1 in the best-of-7 sequence after shedding 2-1 in extra time Friday, with Game 4 right here Sunday (7 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, SNE, SNO, SNP, ESPN, The Spot).
The Lightning captain hasn’t performed since leaving throughout the first interval of a 6-2 win on the Vancouver Canucks on March 19 due to an sickness and missed the ultimate 15 video games of the common season.
On March 25, the staff introduced Hedman was taking a depart of absence for private causes. The 35-year-old had 17 factors (one objective, 16 assists) and was restricted to 33 video games, and won’t seem in this sequence.
“‘Hedy’ is an extremely respected, likeable human being and guys like having him around more than they don’t, if you know what I mean,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper mentioned. “Like, you need to have him round and he simply brings life to the room, with every little thing happening, and he’s a wealth of knowledge.
“So I feel he helps this younger D and hopefully he slowly progresses right here, and if we will advance, hopefully we’ll see him.”
A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Lightning, Hedman received the Conn Smythe Trophy, voted as Most worthy participant of the postseason, in 2020, when he had 22 factors (10 targets, 12 assists) in 25 video games. He helped Tampa Bay repeat in 2021, when he had 18 factors (two targets, 16 assists) in 23 playoff video games.
“It’s definitely not easy when you’re losing a player like that,” Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak mentioned. “But a lot of guys stepped up, playing key roles, and I think we just have to do a better job right now because it’s the most important time of the year and everything is on the line.”
Darren Raddysh is amongst these shouldering the load in Hedman’s absence; the 30-year-old scored in a 4-3 loss in Game 1 and had 70 factors in 73 regular-season video games, together with 22 targets, a Tampa Bay single-season report for defensemen.
“It’s next-man-up mentality,” Raddysh mentioned Friday. “You’re never going to replace a guy like Victor on the ice, but it’s great having him around. On the ice, his absence has created an opportunity for other guys to step up and they’re taking advantage. That’s what being a team is all about.”
Declan Carlile is the newest Lightning defenseman who has had that chance thrust upon him. Left out of the lineup for the sequence opener, the 25-year-old has averaged 14:29 enjoying the previous two video games with Emil Lilleberg in place of Charle-Edouard D’Astous, who was injured on a success by Canadiens ahead Josh Anderson in Game 1.
“I think everyone’s stepped up so far this year,” Carlile mentioned. “Obviously, we’re behind ‘Hedy’ and we’re happy to have him around but I think it’s been a group effort.”
D’Astous was among the many final Tampa Bay gamers on the ice Saturday and isn’t anticipated to be in the lineup for Game 4.
