The Lightning thumped the Maple Leafs in Game 1 of their first-round series, but it may have come at a cost.
Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman left Tuesday's contest with an undisclosed injury and did not return.
Hedman was one of three Lightning players to exit the contest against the Leafs with an injury. Defenseman Erik Cernak was hurt by a dangerous hit from Leafs forward Michael Bunting and Lightning forward Michael Eyssimont left the game as a result of a hit from Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe.
Hedman finished the game with just 6:35 minutes of playing time. He registered a blocked shot and a hit in his limited time on ice.
Losing Hedman would be a massive blow to the three-time defending Eastern Conference champs. He played a major role in Tampa Bay's back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021, winning the Conn Smythe for playoff MVP in 2020.
The Swedish blue liner averaged 23:43 time on ice during the regular season, the second-most on the team behind Mikhail Sergachev.
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Here's what we know about Hedman's injury status.
Is Victor Hedman playing in Game 2?
Hedman was previously considered a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 2 against the Maple Leafs. It's now confirmed that he will be out, after not taking the ice during warm ups.
He is listed as day-to-day.
Probably goes without saying, but the #Bolts officially say Hedman is day-to-day.
— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) April 20, 2023
Hedman did not partake in the team's practice on Wednesday, however, he was on the ice on Thursday for the team's morning skate.
Victor Hedman is taking the morning skate before Game 2. pic.twitter.com/QBgFS96qS6
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 20, 2023
Victor Hedman is talking things over with the #TBLightning medical staff. Jon Cooper says he remains a game-time decision for tonight. pic.twitter.com/WNR3juW9m6
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 20, 2023
While Cernak and Eyssimont have already been ruled out, Hedman is still a possibility to play in the second game of the series.
Victor Hedman injury update
Hedman's exact injury is not known. There was no specific play seen during the game where Hedman was hurt, and the team did not disclose what the injury was after the game.
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He left the game at the beginning of the second period and did not return.
Hedman was late coming out onto the bench and he just went back to the locker room.
— Chris Krenn (@Chris_Krenn) April 19, 2023
According to the ESPN broadcast, Hedman did not enter the playoffs with any injuries. Lightning coach Jon Cooper admitted after the game he was surprised that the veteran defenseman got hurt.
"Honestly, that one was a little bit surprising so we are hoping he should be OK," Cooper said after the game. "But it’s way too early to tell. This is one of those, let’s wake up tomorrow and see what’s going on, and, then, we can give you some sort of report."
