Tampa Bay Lightning Injury Report: Jason Garrison Forced To Leave Game Against Bruins
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison was forced to leave the game on Thursday night against the Boston Bruins after suffering a Lower-Body Injury.
The Tampa Bay Lightning simply can’t seem to win for losing when it comes to player injuries this season. Just when the Lightning thought their injury troubles were far behind them, the injury bug decided to rear its ugly head and start claiming players left and right. Unfortunately, tonight is no exception to the rule.
The Lightning has been embroiled in an intense battle with their Atlantic Division rivals, the Boston Bruins. Each and every time the Bruins have tried to pull ahead, the Lightning has come roaring back and putting things back in order. Regrettably, the Bolts’ persistence would be met with resistance from the hockey gods.
We find ourselves in the opening minutes of the second period. The Bruins kicked things off rather quickly with a goal from David Pastrnak just 1:33 into the period. Thankfully, the Lightning was having none of this. A mere 44 seconds later, the Lightning would respond with the tying goal from Brayden Point.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Unfortunately, this is where things were about to take a turn for the worse. Just a few moments later, the Lightning was attempting to play the puck behind the net when Jason Garrison took a hit from behind. This wasn’t what one would consider a “dirty hit,” but it did have some unfortunate consequences.
On his way to the ice, it seemed as if Garrison’s right leg got caught up under him. By the time he hit the ice, it was pretty clear there was something very wrong. It was a mere matter of moments before Lightning Head Athletic Trainer Tom Mulligan was on his way out onto the ice to evaluate Garrison.
It was quite a bit before Garrison would be able to make it to this skates. Unfortunately, he would not be able to make it off the ice under his own volition. It would require the aid of defenseman Anton Stralman and forward Brayden Point for Garrison to make his way off the ice.
As the trio made their way towards the tunnel, it was pretty apparent Garrison was not putting any weight on his right leg. It was not immediately able to be determined exactly what the injury was, but it most certainly wasn’t good.
The Tampa Bay Lightning would continue their exciting back-and-forth battle with the Bruins for the remainder of the period, but Garrison was nowhere to be found. It was announced prior to the start of the third period the 32-year-old Lightning defenseman had suffered a Lower-Body Injury and would not be returning to the game.
This is definitely not the news the Tampa Bay Lightning or their fans were hoping for. The Bolts are dealing with enough as it is when it comes to injuries; especially in their offensive core. The last thing the team needs right now is a veteran defenseman going down in battle.
Next: Steven Stamkos Returns To Full Practice
As usual, the team hasn’t been incredibly giving as to the nature and/or severity of the Lower-Body Injury to Jason Garrison. One could easily assume as it gets a little closer to game time tomorrow night in Detroit as the Lightning take on the Detroit Red Wings, we’ll have an update as to Garrison’s status for the night.