Erik Cernak News

Cernak managed only one shift in Thursday night's game before exiting with the undisclosed injury and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Tampa Bay's game against the Red Wings on Saturday.

Cernak played on 12:22 time-on-ice before exiting Sunday's game early in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 18:24 time-on-ice, recording seven points (0G / 7A), 33 blocks, and 48 hits in 25 games.

Cernak played on 12:22 time-on-ice before exiting Sunday's game early in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 18:24 time-on-ice, recording seven points (0G / 7A), 33 blocks, and 48 hits in 25 games.

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.

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.

Cernak was held out of the lineup on Saturday due to missing a team meeting but will return to the ice on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. Haydn Fleury will exit the lineup, allowing Cernak to make his return.

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.

Cernak was a surprise scratch for Thursday's game, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Calvin de Haan will play in Cernak's place.

Cernak returned to practice earlier this week and will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday after a seven-game absence. Cernak has five points (0G / 5A), 90 hits, and 62 blocks in 39 games this season.

Cernak is nearing a return from his seven-game absence after participating at practice on Monday. Cernak has five points (0G / 5A), 90 hits, and 62 blocks in 39 games this season.

Cernak is nearing a return but will not be rushed back into the lineup as he continues his recovery from an upper-body injury. Cernak has five points (0G / 5A), 90 hits, and 62 blocks in 39 games this season.

Cernak suffered an upper-body injury after taking a hit from Nathan Bastian late in the first period of Thursday's game against the New Jersey Devils. Cernak has five points (0G / 5A), 90 hits, and 62 blocks in 39 games this season.

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.

Cernak did not play the last three games for Tampa Bay due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. Before his injury, Cernak had 13 hits and six shots on goal in his last three games.

Cernak played only 6:39 time-on-ice on New Year's Eve, did not play the first game of 2024, and will not miss his second-straight game on Thursday. Before his injury, Cernak had 13 hits and six shots on goal in his last three games.