The Tampa Bay Lightning won the first game of their series with the Toronto Maple Leafs, 7-3. However, it was not all smooth sailing for the Bolts. They had a number of injuries to deal with following the opening game of what they hope is their fourth consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Some lineup shuffling is expected before the two teams meet again for Game 2 on Thursday.
Kristen Shilton of ESPN reports that Erik Cernak will be out of the lineup on Thursday night. The big Lightning defenseman did not return after he took a nasty hit from Michael Bunting and left Game 1. Bunting was sentenced with a match penalty and will be suspended for the next three games of the series for the headshot that knocked Cernak out of the lineup.
The 25-year-old defenseman plays a top-four role with the Lightning, averaging 19:14 per game in the regular season while leading the team in average ice time per game while short-handed.
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- Trade-deadline acquisition Michael Eyssimont was also shaken up in Game 1 due to a questionable hit. Jake McCabe appeared to catch the Lightning forward with a headshot and he left the game. Chris Krenn of NHL.com reports Eyssimont will not play in Game 2. The 26-year-old winger scored two points in 15 games with the Lightning after being acquired from the San Jose Sharks.
- Eduardo A. Encina of Tampa Bay Times reports Victor Hedman will be a game-time decision in Game 2. The star defenseman left the opening game after the first period, briefly returned to the bench, then left the game for good early in the middle frame. With Cernak out, the Lightning blue line starts to look pretty thin if Hedman is unable to play as well. The 32-year-old defenseman scored nine goals and 49 points this season and played a big role in all situations for the Lightning, averaging 23:43 per game in the regular season.
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