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.

Gourde was not on the ice for Thursday's morning skate and will be a game-time decision vs. the Bruins. The Kraken will already be without Jared McCann (upper-body), who was moved to IR. So the Kraken could be very thin down the middle against a very good Bruins squad.

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.

Brown was the No.11 overall pick in 2016 but had a tough time finding a permanent spot in the Senators' lineup. He was traded to St. Louis for Zach Sanford in late September and has six points (3G / 3A) in 17 games with the Blues. During his time in the AHL, he registered 17 points (6G / 111A) in 19 games.

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.