The Tampa Bay Lightning face a major setback early in their NHL playoff run, with Victor Hedman now unlikely to return in their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.
Hedman has not played since March 19 due to a mix of illness and personal leave. He earlier missed significant time this season after elbow surgery and has also dealt with a lower-body issue.
While he has rejoined team activities and is traveling, he has not received clearance for game action.
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On Tuesday, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun first noted that Hedman took part in an optional skate, similar to his routine before Game 1. That raised slight hope around the team. However, Head Coach Jon Cooper’s follow-up quickly changed expectations, signaling that Tampa Bay may have to move forward without its captain on the ice.
Speaking about the first round series, Cooper said Hedman’s return is on “the doubtful side for this series.”
Hedman’s absence was clearly visible in Game 1. Tampa Bay fell 4-3 in overtime, with Juraj Slafkovsky scoring a hat trick, including the winner. The Canadiens punished Tampa’s penalty kill, scoring three times on the power play. Without Hedman’s presence, the Lightning struggled to organize defensively during those crucial moments.
The blue line now carries extra pressure. Players like Ryan McDonagh and Darren Raddysh must log heavier minutes, which can affect late-game sharpness. Fatigue already appeared to play a role in the Game 1 collapse.
The situation worsened when Charles-Edouard D’Astous exited Game 1 after a hit, leaving the defensive unit even thinner. Tampa Bay now faces both a tactical and depth challenge as the series continues.
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Hedman still provides leadership off the ice, but his absence during play remains critical. His positioning, puck movement, and penalty-kill awareness are difficult to replace.
As the series heads into Game 2, Tampa Bay must adjust accordingly. Without Hedman, the margin for error shrinks, and the Canadiens hold a clear edge in exploiting that gap.