Erik Cernak’s health was not updated on Monday, the day the Tampa Bay Lightning had off. Following the team’s victory over the Flyers on Saturday, the defenseman sustained a lower-body injury. Coach Cooper did not provide an update on the player’s condition right away.
After today’s practice, it’s unlikely that the team will disclose what’s wrong with him if it’s not a season-ending injury. If he is returning this season, they ought to at least indicate when he will return. If he is out for an extended period of time, Matt Dumba will probably take his place and either Max Crozier or Emil Lilleberg will be called up from Syracuse.
The Lightning are not the only team going through some health problems at this stage of the season, as you can see by clicking on some of the links below.
Additional Injury News in Hockey
At least two weeks without Aaron Ekblad [Sportsnet]
Following a collision with Vlad Tarasenko during Saturday’s 5-1 victory over the Flames, defenseman Aaron Ekblad of the Panthers has suffered his yearly late-season injury. With Ekblad sidelined, the Panthers will need to make some changes to their blue line up as their only available right-shot defenseman is Brandon Montour.
Josh Norris will miss the entire season after undergoing shoulder surgery [The Athletic]
In reference to yearly ailments, the center for the Senators is out for the third time in his professional life because of a shoulder injury. The group is hoping he returns for the upcoming season’s training camp.
Demko is away for two to three weeks [The Province].
For the unexpected Canucks, Demko is set to miss a few weeks due to a lower-body injury. The goaltender’s 24.79 GSAx is a major factor in Vancouver’s current standings. They should be able to maintain their position as the top team in the Pacific without him, with a ten-point advantage over Edmonton in second place.
