Tampa Bay Lightning News

Cernak left Saturday's game in Nashville with an undisclosed injury and did not return. However, Cernak was on the ice for Monday's practice and is expected to play Tuesday vs. the Senators. Cernak is goalless in his last 11 games, registering three assists, 12 shots, 35 hits and 16 blocked shots.

Smith was recently claimed off of waivers from Tampa Bay, appearing in three games with the Red Wings. He had one assist with Detroit and will return to Tampa Bay, where he could head to Syracuse (AHL) without having to clear again as long as no other team had a claim in for him.

Kucherov missed three games while in COVID-19 protocol but will play Thursday in Colorado. Kucherov will return on the first line and top power-play unit and comes in with five goals and 12 assists (17 points) in 11 games this season.

Kucherov returned to the ice on Tuesday morning but will remain out of the lineup vs. the Sharks. According to head coach Jon Cooper, the Lightning will stick with the same lineup as Saturday's shootout loss to the Golden Knights.

Cernak has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury and will miss at least three more according to the head coach Jon Cooper. With Cernak, Jan Rutta and Zach Bogosian all sidelined, Frederik Claesson and Andrej Sustr will remain with the Lightning.