One game back after a 17-game absence, Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Mikhail Sergachev is back on the shelf.
The 25-year-old had missed nearly two months of action before returning to the lineup Wednesday night against the New York Rangers. That return, however, lasted just 10 minutes before he was hurt again.
His injury, later revealed to be a broken tibia and fibula, occurred during the second period when he went to hit Alexis Lafreniere. The Rangers winger, however, threw a reverse hit on Sergachev, causing him to fall to the ice.
He writhed in pain on the ice grabbing his left leg, and was stretchered off the ice. In a statement Thursday, the Lightning confirmed the injury, saying he would be out of the lineup indefinitely. Head coach Jon Cooper later said he would miss the regular season, and for Sergachev to return they would “really have to go.”
On Thursday, Sergachev opened up in a post on Instagram, talking about how heavily this injury is weighing on him.
“Oh man, why me? Why now? After all the games missed, coming back and getting injured again, feels unfair, feels terrible,” Sergachev wrote. “Trying to stay calm and positive, but it’s impossible. After doing everything right I get this.
“The universe is unpredictable I guess, and has its own plans, but f–k the universe man, I know I’ll come back stronger and I know I’ll play better than before, but it’s tough right now, and it’s gonna be tough tomorrow.
“We all fight our own battles and this is mine. I’ll win, always do. Pain meds are good tho, if I was in the forest by myself I’d be dead, crazy innit?! Wanted to write how I feel here, don’t know why, but just wanted to let people that care about me know! I appreciate all of your messages. Thanks to the medical staff.”
Sergachev has drawn in for 34 games this year, scoring two goals and 19 points.
Jack Hughes returns
A lengthy absence is over for Jack Hughes, who is set to return to the New Jersey Devils’ lineup on Thursday night.
Set to draw in on the third line against the Calgary Flames, it appears Hughes will draw in on their third line alongside Tyler Toffoli and Alexander Holtz to be eased back to action. Hughes missed the last 11 games with an upper-body injury after crashing hard into the boards in a Jan. 5 game.
The 22-year-old is already one of the best young players in the NHL, having scored 15 goals and 30 points in 32 games this season. Hughes is in the second season of an eight-year deal paying him $8-million per year.
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