When the Tampa Bay Lightning lined up last night to take the opening face-off against the Ottawa Senators, a familiar face was missing. Victor Hedman, who usually lines up with Erik Cernak, wasn’t on the ice, nor was he on the bench. Instead it was Ian Cole who was paired up with Cernak.
Hedman, who did participate in the morning skate, was scratched just before the game started. Following the morning practice, Coach Jon Cooper had mentioned that it was possible the former Norris Trophy winner would miss the game:
Jon Cooper on the status of Victor Hedman: “He’ll be a game time decision but definitely a little bit more sore than we anticipated so there is a chance he is going to have to sit this one out”
— Gabby Shirley (@Gabby_Shirley_) November 1, 2022
Hedman was shaken up in the game against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. He left in the first period, but returned and finished the game, playing 18:51. According to Dave Randorf, it’s an upper body injury that The Big Swede is dealing with. At this point the severity of the injury is unknown, but it doesn’t seem to be too major as Coach Cooper seemed to believe he would be in the line-up up until the morning skate on Tuesday.
It was the first game Hedman missed since the final two games of the 2020-21 season when he was dealing with a meniscus tear in his knee. He rebounded for offseason surgery the following summer to appear in all 82 games last season.
The Lightning have been pretty lucky with injuries so far this season as they’ve only had one player, Erik Cernak, miss a game until tonight. Cernak did head into the locker room briefly on Tuesday after taking an elbow to the head from Dylan Gambrell.
Ottawa’s Gambrell given a Match Penalty for this hit on Cernak.
Should he be suspended??#GoSensGo | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/AaAPKMpubt— The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast (@rayanddregs) November 2, 2022
Cernak returned after a brief absence.
At this point, hopefully Hedman will be back in the line-up on Thursday when the Lightning take on the Carolina Hurricanes.
Lightning / NHL News
Lightning fizzle on the power play, still beat the Senators [Raw Charge]
“It was a wild one” declared Coach Cooper after the game. The Lightning squandered 7 of their 8 power play opportunities yet still managed the 4-3 victory thanks to some timely offense from the top line.
Solar Bears Den: Battles won and lost [Raw Charge]
Some times the most important wins come off the ice.
Thanks for everything, @MathJoseph7. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/9q5LRHNgJF
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 1, 2022
It was good to see Mathieu Joseph back on the ice, creating shorthanded havoc, and mixing it up with the opponent. It’s just a shame the opponent was the Lightning.
Ondrej Palat undergoes surgery, out indefinitely [All About the Jersey]
Speaking of former Bolts, Ondrej Palat underwent successful groin surgery Tuesday morning. As of right now, there is no date set for his return. While the New Jersey Devils seem to have found their game despite his absence, not having one of their top forwards will catch up with them as the season wears on longer.
How Marchand returned early from injury [ESPN]
Lightning fans are familiar with the joys of hip surgery recovery so it might be a bit of a surprise to see Brad Marchand back on the ice a month earlier than expected.
32 Thoughts: Senators preparing for new ownership [Sportsnet]
It’s no secret that the Senators were likely to be sold following the death last year of owner Eugene Melnyk. There are some legal issues left to settle, as well as the possibility of a new arena, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see serious sales talk ramp up early next year. Of course, a world wide recession may dampen things a bit.
NHL Valuations 2022: Leafs and Rangers lead the league [Sportico]
The average value of a NHL club crossed the $1 billion threshold for the first time. A solid sign that the league is growing (though it is still half of the value of MLB or NBA teams). For the record, they have the Lightning valued at $910 million. Not too shabby consider Mr. Vinik purchased the team for about $110 million back in 2010.
Before the start of the second period, #Isles Casey Cizikas was ejected for goaltender interference as #Blackhawks netminder Alex Stalock was injured.
Andreas Athanasiou retaliated on Sorokin, getting a two-minute penalty. https://t.co/K6bSVDsyIf
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) November 2, 2022
I think Mr. Cizikas is going to have a bit less in his bank account tomorrow.
