With Anton Stralman and captain Steve Stamkos already sidelined, Tampa Bay can ill afford to have any more regulars missing for its opening-round playoff series against Detroit.
Which is why Tuesday was a good day for the Bolts.
Tyler Johnson, out since getting hurt against the Habs over the weekend, returned to practice on and took rushes centering the club’s top line, between Alex Killorn and Nikita Kucherov.
Tyler Johnson said he'll have to wait to see how he feels tomorrow before deciding whether he'll be able to play Game 1. #TBLightning
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) April 12, 2016
Cooper said Johnson will be a game-time decision tomorrow; will leave it up to Johnson and training staff whether he plays. #TBLightning
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) April 12, 2016
This has been a tough year for Johnson, limited to just 68 games while dealing with a myriad of injuries. There is hope, at least among the Lightning players, that the diminutive forward can rediscover the success he found in last year’s playoffs, when he led all skaters with 13 goals and 23 points in 26 games.
Tampa Bay opens up its series against the Red Wings tomorrow, to kick off the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.