It seems the only consistent part of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s season this year has been the rate of injuries suffered by their players. Lost in the “spectacle” of the loss to Buffalo was the fact that the Lightning spent most of the game with only five defensemen. Erik Cernak left the game just seconds into the second period following a fight with Michael Kesselring and didn’t return.
It’s hard to say what it was that kept him from returning. Neither player landed a clean punch and his absence wasn’t brought up after the game. It did seem like his right arm was caught awkwardly underneath his body when he torqued Kesselring to the ground.
Just as it seemed like the defense was getting back to full health, the injuries are trickling their way back into things. In addition to the long-term Max Crozier injury, Emil Lilleberg is out for a couple of weeks with a facial fracture. If Cernak’s injury isn’t long term they should be okay with Declan Carlile. Should things stretch out it wouldn’t be surprising to see Steven Santini or Simon Lundmark recalled.
The Lightning do have to be careful with their roster management. They are only allowed five regular recalls from now until the end of the season, so they’re only likely to use one if someone is out for a significant amount of time.
It’s been a tough season health-wise for Cernak, who has missed 19 games already this season due to injuries and ailments. Never a huge point producer, his offense has taken a bit of a hit as he sits with 1 goal and 6 assists on the season. However, he has been his usual staunch defensive self and is blocking shots at the highest rate of any defender (5.8 blocks/60).
Stay tuned as we will provide any updates as we hear them.
Other Hockey News
Lightning lose by a goal [Raw Charge]
There were some good things (7 goals) and some bad things (5 special teams goals against) in the loss to the Sabres. Bolts have to figure the defense thing out again at some point.
Dwayne Raddysh, father of Darren, passes away [Tampa Bay Lightning Threads]
Darren Raddysh is having a career season. He’s been doing that while trying to spend as much time as possible with his father Dwayne, who was battling cancer. Dwayne passed away on March 6th and his funeral is scheduled for this week. Darren’s brother, Taylor, was placed on non-roster status on Sunday in order to attend the funeral. It is possible that the Lightning will do the same with Darren.
Why the Corey Perry deal makes sense for the Lightning [Daily FaceOff]
An A- seems to be a bit high for a grade, but the deal works for both teams.
Gabe Landeskog is out week-to-week with an injury [Mile High Hockey]
It’s always “fun” when a team makes a big splash in free agency only to have an important player get hurt right after. It looks like the Avalanche will be without Landeskog for a couple of weeks.
Grading every team’s moves [The Athletic]
They give the Lightning a “B”. That sounds about right. There is a good chance that Corey Perry could have been obtained for a lower draft pick, but we all know that Julien BriseBois doesn’t mess around when he has his mind made up about obtaining a player.
Backchecking The Bolts [YouTube]
Some final thoughts on the deadline and the Buffalo game.
