The Tampa Bay Lightning will head into tonight’s game against the Bruins down two crucial components: Tyler Johnson, the club’s leading scorer, and defenseman Victor Hedman, the club’s top point-producing defenseman.
Both players were hurt during Monday’s 7-3 blowout loss to Philly, though neither injury is believed to be serious.
With Johnson out, Vladislav Namestnikov was recalled from AHL Syracuse and could draw into the lineup this evening. Namestnikov, Tampa’s first-round pick at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, scored seven points in 23 games prior to getting sent down to the Crunch and has been very productive during his time in the American League, scoring 17 points in 16 games.