5 Takeaways: Lightning driven to the brink after Avalanche take Game Four in overtime

2. Erik Cernak and Anthony Cirelli leave game with injuries

As if missing Brayden Point was not already a big enough injury concern to deal with, the Lightning will now be looking at Erik Cernak and Anthony Cirelli’s health before the start of Game Five. Both players left the ice during the second period.

Cernak blocked a shot off his leg and did not return for the rest of the game and Cirelli had a freak incident in the closing minutes of the period that took him out for the remainder of it, but he did return for the third and overtime at less than full health.

Cirelli did not take a faceoff after his fall to the ice and noticeably was backing out from throwing body checks while he was forechecking the rest of the game. For a line that was thriving on the forecheck for most of the playoffs, losing Cirelli’s ability to play at full capacity was a major blow to the team.

Looking at replay, it looks like Cirelli either did something to his right arm when it hit the ice or Killorn’s skate might have cut him. No update on Cirelli was provided, but the fact that he was able to return almost immediately was a somewhat encouraging sign.