Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev day-to-day lower-body injury

One of the top defensemen for the Tampa Bay Lightning might be out through the holiday weekend.

On Thursday, the team announced that Mikhail Sergachev is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

The Russian-born blueliner had to leave the team’s matchup with the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night in the first period, after taking a Colton Parayko slap shot to his left foot. He gingerly made his way off the ice, and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

Head coach Jon Cooper gave an update of the 25-year-old’s status at morning skate prior to the Lightning’s Thursday night meeting with the Vegas Golden Knights, saying that Sergachev is only expected to be out for the next 1-2 games.

That means Sergachev will be out for Tampa’s game against the Washington Capitals on Saturday, and potentially for their meeting with their in-state rivals, the Florida Panthers, the Wednesday after Christmas.

The former ninth overall pick in 2016 has missed his share of time due to injury. He missed three games last season, mostly due to undisclosed injuries.

Prior to Tuesday night, Sergachev had scored two goals and 17 assists in 33 games, coming off an a career-best 64 points during the 2022-23 season.

This is the first year of an eight-year contract for the former Montreal Canadien, worth an AAV of $8.5 million, that will carry through 2031. By then, Sergachev will be only 32 years old.

It has been an up and down season so far for the Lightning (15-13-5), which sees them fighting for a playoff spot as we creep toward the New Year. Heading into Thursday, Tampa is fourth in the Atlantic Division with 35 points, three back of the Panthers for third, and nine behind the first-place Boston Bruins.

The Bolts are also one game back of the Capitals for the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.