Hedman was injured while blocking a shot on Saturday. He has travelled with the team to Carolina but it seems unlikely that he will play. He underwent x-rays which came back negative so even if he does not play today, he isn't expected to be out longterm.
Hedman has missed the last six games after being injured on December 5. Hedman appears to be finally coming into his own in the NHL. The 2009 second overall pick has six goals and nine assists (15 points) with a minus-3 rating in 28 games.
If all goes well and Hedman continues to skate, he could return to the lineup on Thursday. Tonight's game will be the sixth straight that Hedman has missed after suffering a lower-body injury on December 5. Monitor his status as the week progresses.
Hedman will miss his third consecutive game tonight and is expected to miss at least three more games.
Hedman should be considered day-to-day, his next chance to return would be Thursday vs. the Red Wings.
Thankfully the Lightning had seven defensemen dressed, because they also lost Keith Aulie on Thursday. It is and unfortunate injury for Hedman who had caught fire as of late posting four goals and four assists in his last nine games coming into Thursday. He is considered day-to-day and questionable for Saturday's game vs. Winnipeg.
Kucherov, 20, was the 58th overall pick in 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The Russian winger has tore up the AHL this season recording 13 goals and 11 assists (24 points) in 17 games. He will debut on a line with Alex Kilorn and Teddy Purcell.
Girgensons took a puck to the face on Tuesday that cut him, requiring several stitches. He will not play tonight because of a swollen eye. Kevin Porter will move into his third line left wing slot.
The undrafted 21-year-old made his professional debut with Manchester at the end of the 2012-13 season after the completion of his 20-year-old season with the Oshawa Generals (30G-20A-50P in 65 games) and had signed a two-year contract with the Monarchs in April.
Girgensons was the 12th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He is a great two-way forward and is probably better defensively than he is offensively which limits his fantasy value.
No word on who sits but it is likely Barberio.
Hedman will miss his fourth straight game with a lower-body injury. He is questionable for Saturday's game.
Hedman will miss his third straight game tonight with a lower-body injury.
Neither he nor Cooper had a timetable for a return.
Hedman is dealing with a lower-body injury that he suffered on Thursday. The Lightning called up Matt Taormina yesterday, so he will enter the lineup if Hedman does not play.
Hedman will not miss anytime because of an undisclosed upper-body injury. He will be in the lineup tonight when the Lightning take on the Maple Leafs. He has 14 points in 29 games this season.
Hedman (upper-body) is considered to be day-to-day according to the Lightning, but the fact that he is skating this morning would suggest he might play tonight vs. the Leafs. Monitor his status later this afternoon.
Hedman left Monday's game and did not return. Tampa Bay plays tomorrow and then back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday, so monitor his status prior to the weekend games.
Consider Hedman day-to-day until we hear further from Guy Boucher.
McDonagh will return to the Rangers blueline tonight after sitting out their last game. McDonagh has 32 points and was a +25 last season but has struggled to produce offensively this season. He only has two goals and three assists in 17 games this season. McDonagh will return to the Rangers top-pair with Daniel Girardi.
