Erik Cernak News

Cernak has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on Sunday, missing two games, but should be ready to return to the lineup on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 17:57 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 77 blocks, and 81 hits in 43 games this season.

Cernak exited Sunday's rollercoaster 8-7 loss to the Buffalo Sabres after only 6:47 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and will remain sidelined on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 17:57 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 77 blocks, and 81 hits in 43 games this season.

Cernak suffered an undisclosed injury in the first period of Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets and did not return to the game. The 28-year-old Slovak defenseman has already missed 19 games this season due to injuries. He has five assists, 58 blocks, and 61 hits in 31 games this season.

Cernak has not played in over a month but should return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old hard-hitting Slovak defenseman has four assists, 40 hits, and 43 blocks in 19 games this season.

Cernak returned from a two-game absence due to an injury in Tampa Bay's most recent game, but he will miss more time, out week-to-week. The 28-year-old hard-hitting Slovak defenseman has four assists, 40 hits, and 43 blocks in 19 games this season.

Cernak was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with the Lightning not announcing his absence prior to warmups. He is considered day-to-day with the injury.

Cernak managed only one shift in Thursday night's game before exiting with the undisclosed injury and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Tampa Bay's game against the Red Wings on Saturday.

Cernak played on 12:22 time-on-ice before exiting Sunday's game early in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 18:24 time-on-ice, recording seven points (0G / 7A), 33 blocks, and 48 hits in 25 games.

Cernak played on 12:22 time-on-ice before exiting Sunday's game early in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 18:24 time-on-ice, recording seven points (0G / 7A), 33 blocks, and 48 hits in 25 games.

Cernak was injured in Tampa Bay's previous game, but five days of rest between contests have given him enough time to recover and, likely, return to the lineup on Thursday. The 27-year-old Cernak is averaging 18:43 time-on-ice, has four points (0G / 4A), 19 blocks, and 21 hits in 14 games this season.

Cernak left Thursday's game after blocking a shot and did not return to the game. Cernak missed practice on Saturday but the Lightning still did not have an update on his status. Lucky for Cernak, the Lightning don't play again until next Thursday, so he has plenty of time to recover.