The Tampa Bay Lightning were blanked 4-0 by the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon, but the bigger concern for the Bolts is the health of defenseman Jason Garrison and forward Cedric Paquette.
Garrison left the game with an upper body injury following a hit from Justin Abdelkader early in the first period. Abdelkader picked up a minor penalty for boarding on the play.
Garrison is heading back to Tampa to be evaluated by team doctors, will not accompany team to Montreal
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) March 28, 2015
Cooper on Abdelkader hit on Garrison: "Square behind on the numbers in a vulnerable spot. Guys have gotten multiple games for that hit."
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) March 28, 2015
Then late in the third period Paquette crashed awkwardly into the goal post trying to prevent an empty net goal. Paquette appeared to injure his left leg on the play.
The play was reminiscent of when Steven Stamkos suffered a broken right tibia after crashing into the post during a November 2013 game in Boston.
The first report on Cedric Paquette is better than expected. No fracture. Not sure if he'll play Monday. #lightning #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) March 28, 2015
The win moves Detroit five points up on the Boston Bruins for the third seed in the Atlantic Division.