Cernak (upper body) will return to the lineup Thursday versus the Blackhawks, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cernak missed one game with the injury. The defenseman has three assists, 33 hits, 18 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating through 15 contests. He will likely play a defensive-minded role in the Lightning's top four.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Won't play Tuesday
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Cernak (upper body) won't be in the lineup Tuesday against the Blues, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times.
Cernak, who is considered day-to-day, was injured in Saturday's 4-0 loss to Carolina. He has three assists, 11 shots on goal, 18 blocked shots and 33 hits in 15 games this campaign. Cernak will be replaced in the lineup by Philippe Myers.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Labeled day-to-day
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's clash with the Blues, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.
According to reports, Cernak is expected to practice at Tuesday's game-day skate. Fantasy managers probably should expect the blueliner to be hit with a game-time decision label Tuesday. Considering the 26-year-old Slovak has never reached the 20-point mark in his six-year NHL career, he probably shouldn't be expected to suddenly start producing in the offensive end once given the all-clear.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Leaves game with injury
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Cernak, who left Saturday's game in the second period and didn't return, is being evaluated for an undisclosed injury, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Cernak had a minus-1 rating in 9:57 of ice time before exiting the contest. He has three assists in 15 outings in 2023-24. If Cernak's not available for Tuesday's game versus St. Louis, then Philippe Myers might draw into the lineup.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Practices Thursday
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Cernak (concussion) was on the ice for Thursday's practice to begin Tampa Bay's training camp, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.
Cernak was sidelined by a concussion in the first round of last year's playoffs, missing the final five games of the Lightning's six-game series loss. The 26-year-old defenseman is no stranger to injuries, but it appears he's healthy to begin training camp. He had 16 points, 209 hits, 100 blocked shots and 87 shots on goal in a career-high 70 games last season, playing in a top-four role as a defensive specialist.
Cernak (upper body) won't play Saturday in Game 6 versus Toronto, Kristie Achert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cernak was injured in Game 1 courtesy of a Michael Bunting elbow to the face. Bunting was given a three-game suspension for his misdeed. Zach Bogosian will likely continue to take Cernak's spot in the lineup.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not playing in Game 5
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Cernak (upper body) won't be in the lineup for Game 5 against Toronto on Thursday, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Cernak will miss his fourth consecutive contest after getting injured in Tampa Bay's playoff opener April 18. He was credited with three blocked shots and posted two PIM in Game 1 prior to getting injured. As a result of Cernak's absence, Zach Bogosian will likely remain in the lineup.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Won't play Monday
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Cernak (upper body) won't play Monday in Game 4 against Toronto, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
Cernak will miss his third consecutive contest after getting injured in Tuesday's playoff opener. He produced 16 points, 100 blocked shots and 209 hits in 70 games during the regular season. Zach Bogosian has been suiting up for the Lightning during Cernak's absence.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not practicing Saturday
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Cernak (upper body) is not at practice Saturday, according to Mark Masters of TSN.
Cernak missed Game 2 after taking an elbow to the face in Game 1 on Tuesday, courtesy of Michael Bunting. Bunting received a three-game suspension for his misdeed. The Lightning are expected to be without Cernak for Game 3, with Zach Bogosian once again drawing into the lineup as a third-pairing defenseman.
Cernak (upper body) won't play in Thursday's Game 2 versus Toronto, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
With Cernak still feeling the effects of the high hit he took from Toronto's Michael Bunting during Tuesday's Game 1, look for Zach Bogosian or Haydn Fleury to enter the lineup Thursday. Check back for another update on Cernak's status prior to Saturday's Game 3.
Cernak (upper body) left Tuesday's Game 1 versus the Maple Leafs after a hit from Michael Bunting, Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun reports.
Bunting was given a match penalty on the play, while Cernak was unable to return. The 25-year-old Cernak has missed short stretches of time on multiple occasions this season. It's unclear if he'll be available to suit up for Thursday's Game 2.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Expected to play Saturday
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) is expected to be in the lineup Saturday versus the Senators, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Cernak will return after a one-game absence. He should fill his usual top-four role and serve as a defensive presence for the Lightning as they look to finish the season strong.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Unavailable for Thursday's game
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Cernak (undisclosed) won't play Thursday versus the Islanders, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
Cernak joins Brandon Hagel (lower body) and Anthony Cirelli (lower body) as players out of the lineup for this contest. Mikey Eyssimont, Haydn Fleury and Zach Bogosian will step into the lineup for the injured trio of Bolts, with the team using seven defensemen for Thursday's game.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Cleared to return Tuesday
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Cernak (lower body) will be back in action versus the Flyers on Tuesday, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
Cernak rejoining the lineup will be marred by the fact that Victor Hedman (undisclosed) won't be suiting up in Tuesday's tilt. Considering the 25-year-old Cernak has just one point in his last 14 contests, he shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of offensive upside, limiting his fantasy value to formats that utilize defensive stats.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not playing Saturday
Rotowire
Cernak (lower body) will not play Saturday in Buffalo, per the NHL media site.
Cernak took part in warmups but ultimately needs another day to recover. Darren Raddysh replaced Cernak on the Lightning blue line. Cernak has one goal, 10 assists, 166 hits and 81 blocked shots in 53 games this season.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Cernak (lower body) won't play Sunday against Carolina, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cernak also sat out Saturday's 5-3 loss to Buffalo after getting injured Thursday versus Pittsburgh. Haydn Fleury will be in the lineup instead Sunday against the Hurricanes.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Can't finish contest
Rotowire
Cernak (undisclosed) left Thursday's game versus the Penguins in the second period and did not return, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
Head coach Jon Cooper didn't provide an update on Cernak's status after the contest. The 25-year-old defenseman should be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's road game in Buffalo. If he can't play, Zach Bogosian would likely rejoin the lineup.
