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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
