Lightning’s Anthony Cirelli out Thursday against Senators

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be without center Anthony Cirelli on Thursday versus the Atlantic Division rival Ottawa Senators. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper indicated that Cirelli is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, per Diandra Loux of The Hockey News.

Through 51 appearances this season, Cirelli has notched 19 goals and 21 assists to sit sixth in team scoring with 40 points. Skating in his eighth season with the Lightning, the two-time Stanley Cup champion is on pace to eclipse his career-high 45-point mark, set last season when he registered 20 goals and 25 assists through 79 showings.

Originally chosen by the Lightning in the third round of the 2015 NHL Draft, Cirelli has totaled 116 goals and 157 assists for 273 points through 482 career contests. Cirelli has also added 42 points through 103 postseason appearances. Per PuckPedia, Cirelli is in the second year of an eight-year pact that carries a $6.25-million annual average value.

A 27-year-old native of Etobicoke, Ont., Cirelli is slated to join the Canadian squad, alongside fellow Lightning forwards Brandon Hagel and Brayden Point, at the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off to be held February 12-20 in Boston and Montreal.

While Cirelli is sidelined, Cooper announced the Lightning will see the return of right winger Nick Paul on Thursday, the second half of a home-and-home series with the Senators. Hosting Ottawa on Tuesday, Paul exited early in the first period and did not return after suffering an undisclosed injury.

Skating in his fourth season with the Lightning, Paul has registered 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points through 46 contests. Last season, the 29-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., reached career highs in all major offensive categories including 24 goals, 22 assists, and 46 points.

Paul is in the third year of a seven-year contract that carries a $3.15-million annual average value, per PuckPedia.