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Tampa Bay Lightning D Victor Hedman will play in Game 1 against Blue Jackets

By Tasha St. Pierre

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 18: Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Arizona Coyotes to win the Atlantic Division and the President's Trophy at Amalie Arena on March 18, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 18: Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Arizona Coyotes to win the Atlantic Division and the President's Trophy at Amalie Arena on March 18, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman will make his return to the lineup on Wednesday night as the Lightning battles the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 1 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Lightning has been dealing with a number of injuries to key players in the weeks leading up to the start of the postseason. A good number of those injuries have been defensemen, which could have an incredible impact on a team favored to go all the way.

Moments ago, Lightning fans received some news which is almost guaranteed to put a huge smile on a number of faces. According to Lightning Beat Writer Bryan Burns, Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper has said defenseman Victor Hedman will play in Game 1 on Wednesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Victor Hedman has been on the sidelines since a scary incident which took place in the final meeting of the season between the Lightning and the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Washington Capitals. In the first period, Hedman collided with Capitals forward Carl Hagelin.

Hagelin seemed to jump into the hit from Hedman which caused Hagelin to make direct contact with Hedman’s head. It wasn’t until the third period it was revealed Hedman had sustained an Upper-Body Injury and would not be returning to the game. It was this incident which caused Hedman to miss the remaining four games of the regular season.

Victor Hedman has been a huge asset to the Lightning’s blueline this season. The defending Norris Trophy winner is in fourth place on the team in points this season, scoring 12 goals and 42 assists for a total of 54 points. Hedman leads all Lightning defensemen on the scoreboard this season.

The 28-year-old defenseman is currently in 11th place in the National Hockey League amongst defensemen in points scored. Leading the way is San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns who has scored a whopping 83 points this season.

The Tampa Bay Lightning had a tremendous season filled with record-setting accomplishments. While we are sure to look back on these accomplishments fondly in a few months, all of these will quietly fade to black once the first puck drops to start the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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The journey will start anew and the Lightning will have a whole new set of challenges in front of them. This journey kicks off in just over 24 hours when the Lightning charges into the Amalie Arena to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 1. Thankfully, the Bolts will have another defenseman to add to their already skilled arsenal of blueliners.

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