To little surprise, the Detroit Red Wings are making big changes going into Game 3. Still, with all the injury issues striking the Tampa Bay Lightning, some might want to see them make tweaks of their own.
Unfortunately for those who are impatient to see returning Bolts, it sounds like the waiting game(s) will continue.
Anton Stralman is apparently making progress, but it’s likely of the slow-and-steady variety. He’s still canceled out of this first-round series against the Red Wings; anything beyond that - if the Lightning manage to advance - is also a coin flip right now.
That’s the word from reporters including Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.
#TBLightning Cooper said Stralman won't play in Detroit series but after that "there's a chance." Not sure exact timeline but progressing
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) April 17, 2016
#tblightning Anton Stralman (fractured leg) on trip, getting closer to a return. "Not for first round, maybe second" https://t.co/URMTeGuCqn
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) April 17, 2016
Considering how serious that leg injury is, it’s reasonable that the Lightning aren’t rushing Stralman back.
In other Lightning notes, J.T. Brown’s injury apparently opened the door for Erik Condra to get back into the mix for Tampa Bay.
Cooper on Condra playing tonight: "I like that mix of Condra, Blunden and Boyle. They’ve played together before and been really effective.”
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) April 17, 2016
This post discusses what the Lightning are losing with Brown out of action.