Tampa Bay Lightning Injury Updates: Tyler Johnson, Victor Hedman set for Home Opener

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman and forward Tyler Johnson will return to the lineup for tonight’s Home Opener against the Florida Panthers.

The Bolts Nation is electric today as the Tampa Bay Lightning prepares to open the doors to the Amalie Arena to take on their in-state rivals, the Florida Panthers, in tonight’s 2019-20 Home Opener. There is no denying everyone’s favorite season, hockey season is about to be in full swing.

Before the puck drops to officially kick off the season, there were a few questions in need of answering. Thankfully, these questions resulted in some good news for the Tampa Bay Lightning and their fans.

According to Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper, defenseman Victor Hedman and forward Tyler Johnson are both good to go and will be in the lineup as the Bolts take on the Panthers tonight. Needless to say, this relieves a heavy weight off the minds of Lightning fans.

Victor Hedman was forced to miss the final preseason game of the year due to an undisclosed injury. Tyler Johnson, on the other hand, picked up his injury in the first period of the final preseason game of the year. Thankfully, at least when it came to Johnson, it seemed like more of a precaution.

After the stellar performance the Tampa Bay Lightning had in the 2018-19 season, expectations are at an all-time high. Starting off the new season on the right skate is essential for the Bolts. Tonight’s opening matchup between the Lightning and Panthers will set the tone for the season.

Victor Hedman is at the core of the Lightning’s defense and missing someone like him on a night like tonight would be a serious blow to the Bolts. Hedman, who captured the Norris Trophy in 2018, had a pretty solid performance offensively as well as defensively last season.

In the 70 games Hedman played in last season, the Swedish defenseman was able to bring home 12 goals and 42 assists for a total of 54 points. These numbers put Hedman in fourth place on the team in points, surpassed only by the likes of Brayden Point, captain Steven Stamkos, and the league points leader, Nikita Kucherov.

Tyler Johnson had a decent season last year as well. In the 80 games Johnson took the ice for last season, he brought home 29 goals and 18 assists for a total of 47 points. This is the Washington native’s third-best season with the Lightning since joining the roster in the 2012-13 season.

As we mentioned previously, the expectations for the Tampa Bay Lightning to have a repeat performance of last season are incredibly high. A victory over the Panthers tonight would definitely start the season off on the right skate and set the tone for the season ahead. Thankfully, the Lightning will have two very important pieces of the puzzle in the lineup tonight.