Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Erik Cernak left Game 1 against the Florida Panthers after blocking a shot from defenceman Brandon Montour on Tuesday.
The incident occurred with 6:20 left in the second period. With the Lightning on the penalty kill leading 1-0, Montour hammered a rebound on net, only to have it blocked by Cernak — who may have saved a goal.
Cernak did not take the ice for the remainder of Tampa Bay's 4-1 win, totalling 10:25 in ice-time. Head coach Jon Cooper did not have an update on his status after the game.
Cernak was a staple on the Lightning blue line in their last two runs to the Stanley Cup. These playoffs, he has played in every game thus far, averaging 21:38 in ice-time through the first seven games — fourth among Tampa Bay's defence corps.
Game 2 between the Lightning and Panthers takes place Thursday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet.
