Ad
Erik Cernak News
Cernak (undisclosed) is expected to play vs. Winnipeg on Thursday.

Cernak was injured in Tampa Bay's previous game, but five days of rest between contests have given him enough time to recover and, likely, return to the lineup on Thursday. The 27-year-old Cernak is averaging 18:43 time-on-ice, has four points (0G / 4A), 19 blocks, and 21 hits in 14 games this season.

Erik Cernak
Cernak (undisclosed) missed practice on Saturday.

Cernak left Thursday's game after blocking a shot and did not return to the game. Cernak missed practice on Saturday but the Lightning still did not have an update on his status. Lucky for Cernak, the Lightning don't play again until next Thursday, so he has plenty of time to recover.

Erik Cernak
Cernak (lower body) is expected to rejoin Tampa Bay's lineup on Thursday vs. New York.

Cernak exited Tampa Bay's last outing, a 7-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, after playing only 12:31 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. However, with five days between contests, Cernak appears to be fully healed and is expected to play on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The Slovak defenseman has nine points (1G / 8A), 139 hits, and 83 blocks in 53 games this season.

Erik Cernak
The Lightning announced Cernak will not return to Thursday's game against the Devils due to an upper-body injury.

Cernak suffered the injury after taking a hit from Nathan Bastian late in the first period. We should expect to receive an update on the injury and a possible timeline for Cernak's return following the completion of Thursday's game.

Erik Cernak
Cernak (undisclosed) will play in Chicago on Thursday.

Cernak did not play on Tuesday due to an undisclosed injury that forced him to exit the team's November 11th matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, a 4-0 loss, after playing only 9:57. The 6'4 Slovak defenceman has three points (0G / 3A), 18 blocks, and 33 hits while averaging 18:53 time-on-ice through 15 games this season.

Erik Cernak
Erik Cernak (undisclosed) is likely to return to Tampa's lineup Thursday vs. Chicago.

Cernak did not play on Tuesday due to an undisclosed injury that forced him to exit the team's November 11th matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, a 4-0 loss, after playing only 9:57. The 6'4 Slovak defenceman has three points (0G / 3A), 18 blocks, and 33 hits while averaging 18:53 time-on-ice through 15 games this season.

Erik Cernak
Erik Cernak (undisclosed) will be out Tuesday vs. St. Louis.

Cernak left the Lightning's last game vs. Carolina after 13 shifts and 9:57 TOI due to an undisclosed injury and will not play Tuesday vs. St. Louis. The 26-year-old stay-at-home defender has three assists, 11 SOG, six PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 15 games played prior to his injury. He will be replaced by Philippe Myers on Tampa's third defensive pairing.

Erik Cernak
Erik Cernak will be out for Game 2 Thursday due to an undisclosed injury.

Cernak had to leave Game 1 Tuesday after taking a high hit from Toronto's Michael Bunting after just 9:27 TOI and will be out Thursday for Game 2. The 25-year-old is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and will hopefully be back at some point in the first round.

Erik Cernak