Charle-Edouar

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman has not played since March 19th due to illness. He missed the final 15 games of the regular season and, despite returning to practice in the postseason, the first game of the Lightning’s first round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. Head coach Jon Cooper provided a bit more clarity on Hedman’s timeline during Tuesday’s practice, specifying that Hedman is doubtful to play in the first round per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. Tampa Bay also lost Charle-Edouard D’Astous to injury in Game 1.

This news will keep the Lightning blue-line hobbled through the rest of their matchup against the Canadiens. Tampa Bay rotated their top four defenders heavily in Game 1. The top-pair of J.J. Moser and Darren Raddysh played in 23 and 24 minutes of ice time respectively while the second-pair of Ryan McDonagh and Erik Cernak played 21 minutes. Raddysh and McDonagh both found their way onto the scoresheet but their efforts weren’t enough, and Tampa Bay ultimately dropped Game 1 by a score of 3-4.

That loss will put added pressure onto Tampa Bay’s blue-line next game. Hedman has had a challenging season – playing in only 33 games and scoring only 17 points due to various injuries and illnesses. Even then, his veteran presence is an essential part of the Lightning’s defense corps. Hedman scored 76 and 66 points in his previous two seasons respectively and leads all Bolts defenders with 50 points in 61 playoff games dating back to 2020. He would have been an integral part of this first round race. His absence places that weight onto Raddysh and Moser, two defenders who served minimal roles in the Lightning’s 2025 playoff run.

While the lights will be shining bright, both Raddysh and Moser proved their ability to stand up to the challenge throughout this season. Raddysh’s breakout season was marked by 70 points in 73 games, joining Hedman as the only defensemen in Lightning history to reach 70 points. Moser offered a strong, two-way game behind Raddysh – and played upwards of 27 minutes a night in support of the D-zone. Their stylistic chemistry – backed by Cup-winning experience in McDonagh and Cernak – should be enough for Tampa Bay to fortify their defensive end even without their captain in the lineup. If the weakened Lightning blue-line can push the team past Montreal, they could be due for an X-factor addition if Hedman returns to full health in the second round.

Meanwhile, Declan Carlile will make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in place of the injured D’Astous per NHL.com’s Benjamin Pierce. Carlile played in 42 NHL games this season, marking his first full year in the league after totaling four games over the last two seasons. He has recorded four points and 40 penalty minutes at the NHL level, and added 11 points and 27 penalty minutes in 16 AHL games this season. Carlile will likely suit up next to Lilleberg on a Lightning third-pair that is sure to be sheltered through the first round. In their minutes, Carlile and Lilleberg will have to combine to make up for the 29 points and team-leading 112 penalty minutes that D’Astous racked up as an NHL rookie this season.