Tampa Bay Lightning Lose Two Players To Injury For Game 2

The Tampa Bay Lightning are facing some injury concerns ahead of their second game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first-round best-of-seven series.

Defenseman Erik Cernak and forward Mikey Eyssimont will both miss the game due to injuries sustained in Game 1.

Jake McCabe just rocked Mikey Eyssimont with a huge hit at the blue line#LeafsForever | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/bUeWUfLMd5
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) April 19, 2023

Cernak suffered an upper-body injury resulting from an illegal check to the head by Toronto's Michael Bunting, while Eyssimont left the ice after a hard check by Jake McCabe. The team has yet to provide an update on Eyssimont's condition.

Zach Bogosian or Haydn Fleury are both candidates to fill in for Cernak.

Michael Bunting has received a 5-minute match penalty for an illegal check to the head on Erik Cernak. pic.twitter.com/aY8TnNZgWl
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 19, 2023

Additionally, the availability of defenseman Victor Hedman is uncertain after he exited the previous game due to an undisclosed injury.

Hedman will be a game-time decision. Meanwhile, winger Tanner Jeannot, who missed Game 1 due to a lower-body injury, may return to the lineup. Jeannot has declared himself ready to play despite his recent injury.

TB head coach Jon Cooper says Erik Cernak and Michael Eysimmont will not play Game 2. Victor Hedman is a game-time decision and Tanner Jeannot is a possibility
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 19, 2023

With two players out of the lineup, the Lightning may need to consider calling up a player from the AHL or make adjustments to their lineup to fill the gaps.

It will be interesting to see how the team adapts to the absence of Cernak and Eyssimont, and if Jeannot is able to contribute to the team's effort. Photo Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports