As is typical for any team once it is knocked out of the playoffs, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports that laundry list of playoff injuries sustained by the Tampa Bay Lightning in their opening-round matchup. Throughout the playoffs, most teams usually keep their players' specific injuries very close to the chest.
Erik Cernak, who only managed to play nine minutes in Game 1 before being removed for the rest of the series, was dealing with a concussion after sustaining a high hit from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting. Similar to Cernak, trade deadline acquisition Michael Eyssimont was also dealing with concussion symptoms but was able to return to the team and score a goal in Game 5.
Victor Hedman, who only missed Game 2 in the series, was apparently dealing with a hip impingement, and Tanner Jeannot, who only played three games in the playoffs for the Lightning, had a high ankle sprain. Most impressively, Brayden Point, who had a brutal run into the boards aided by Morgan Rielly in Game 3, had a rib cage cartilage fracture resulting from that play and still managed to play in the rest of the series.
Other Atlantic Division notes:
- The Detroit Red Wings announced that top prospect Simon Edvinsson has undergone successful shoulder surgery, and his recovery timeline will be four to six months, meaning he will likely be out to start next season. In his first taste of NHL action this season, Edvinsson played in nine games toward the end of the season in Detroit, scoring two goals. Primarily playing for the AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins this year, Edvinsson played in 52 games, scoring five goals and 22 assists.
- Mark Divver of NHL.com reports that Boston Bruins defenseman Jakub Zboril will suit up for Czechia in the IIHF World Championship. Zboril, who is on the first year of a two-year, $2.275M contract, played in 22 games this year for Boston, scoring one goal and three assists.
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