Tampa Bay Lightning D Victor Hedman leaves game with Lower-Body Injury
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman was unable to put pressure on his left leg after knee-to-knee contact midway through the 2nd against the Calgary Flames.
There was definitely something wicked looming in the air tonight at the Amalie Arena in the heart of the Bolts Nation. The injury bug has always been a presence in the lives of the Tampa Bay Lightning and their fans, but the cold, icy grip is starting to get a little tighter than usual.
Unfortunately, the last couple of times the team has suffered an injury it has been due to a completely freak accident. On Sunday night as the Lightning took on the Detroit Red Wings, Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi went down after taking a nasty-looking puck to the neck/head late in the second period.
Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning has lost yet another player in a freak accident. It was about midway through the second period between the Lightning and the visiting Calgary Flames. Things were all tied up at one after goals from Micheal Ferland and Brayden Point, respectfully. Then…tragedy struck.
The play was quickly moving into the Lightning’s defensive zone when Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman stepped up to check Flames forward Garnet Hathaway. During the check, Hedman and Hathaway’s knees collided. It was apparently clear something wasn’t right with Hedman after the collision.
Immediately, he realized he couldn’t put any sort of pressure on his left leg. Hedman would lean on his stick and put his leg in the air as he struggled to make his way back to the Lightning bench. Once Hedman made it off the ice, he would need assistance making his way down the tunnel to the Lightning locker room.
Needless to say, this would be the last time Lightning fans would see Hedman take the ice against the Calgary Flames. Now, the waiting game starts. As per the usual, there has been no official word on the nature or severity of Hedman’s injury at this point in time.
Victor Hedman is a tough-as-nails defenseman. Seeing him be completely unable to put weight on his leg is definitely cause for concern. While there is still a chance his injury is not severe, things definitely do not look good to the medically-untrained eye.
The good news here, if this is even a real thing, is the Lightning should know more about Victor Hedman’s injury tomorrow. According to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s twitter site, Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper said after the game Hedman would be evaluated at some point tomorrow and they would go from there.
Unfortunately, the Bolts Nation will have to find a way to sleep tonight, albeit uneasily. There will be no official updates on Victor Hedman’s condition until tomorrow afternoon.
Victor Hedman is not one of those players any team would want missing from their lineup. In addition to being one of the best two-way defensemen in the league at this moment, his veteran leadership on the blueline is something not easily replaced.
Hopefully, Hedman’s injury is more like a deep bruise than something much more severe which may or may not require surgery. Once again, the waiting game has officially commenced.
Next: Dan Girardi Feeling Better, But Not Ready To Return
We here at Bolts By The Bay wish Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman nothing but the best and hope for a speedy recovery from his apparent injury. The Lightning’s bye week couldn’t possibly come at a better time. It will afford banged up players like Hedman the time needed to heal.