Lightning’s Victor Hedman leaves game vs. Blue Jackets with injury

Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman (77). (Julie Jacobson/AP)

Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman left Monday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a lower-body injury and won’t return.

Head coach Jon Cooper confirmed Hedman won’t return in an interview with NBC Sports’s Pierre McGuire during the second period.

“Hopefully we’ll look at him after the game, I don’t think it’s anything too serious,” Cooper said. “But obviously going the last two periods with five D is going to be tough.”

It’s unclear when Hedman suffered the injury. The 28-year-old skated just under nine minutes in the first period before leaving the game.

Hedman missed seven games earlier this seasons with an upper-body injury.

In 52 games this year, the reigning Norris Trophy winner has seven goals and 37 points with a plus-13 rating.

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