On March 25, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced that defenseman Victor Hedman would be unavailable during the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs. Hedman is presently on a leave of absence for personal reasons. The Lightning are set to face the Montreal Canadiens in a playoff series, starting on Sunday at 5:45 p.m. ET.
Playoff Schedule and Details
The games will take place at the Benchmark International Arena. The first game will be aired on multiple platforms, including HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS, and CBC. Following the initial matchup, the series will progress with Game 2 in Tampa and Games 3 and 4 in Montreal.
- Game 1: Sunday, March 28, at 5:45 p.m. ET
- Game 2: Tuesday, March 30
- Games 3 and 4: Friday, April 2, and Sunday, April 4, in Montreal
Coach’s Insights
Head Coach Jon Cooper commented on Hedman’s situation: “Vic’s been around us. He’s slowly starting to get some ice time and stuff like that, and get himself hopefully back.” Cooper emphasized Hedman’s importance, stating, “I’ve been here a long time, he trumps me. And he’s seen it all.” He also noted that having Hedman around was beneficial for the team, citing his wealth of experience as crucial during the playoffs.
Despite his absence on the ice, Cooper assured, “We love having him around, because he’s our captain.” He acknowledged that while Hedman is an integral part of the team, he is not available to play at this time. As the playoffs are in full swing, the Lightning are keeping updates on Hedman’s status close to the chest.
Conclusion
As the Tampa Bay Lightning prepare to enter the Eastern Conference First Round against the Montreal Canadiens, the absence of Victor Hedman raises questions about the team’s dynamics. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team adapts without their captain for this critical playoff series.
