Injury timing awful for the Lightning; Bolts ravaged by a string of injuries right before playoff series against the Leafs
Over the last couple of games, as Tampa has attempted to find their stride ahead of the playoffs, they have been dealt an awful hand. They have lost 5 regulars due to injury - Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, Tanner Jeannot, Pat Maroon and Erik Cernak. Jeannot was the Bolts' big deadline acquisition this year, while Hagel was their big deadline acquisition last year.
According to Jon Cooper, he is not concerned for any of them aside from Tanner Jeannot, as he landed very awkwardly bending his leg and ankle backwards before landing on it. He could miss some significant time, but Jon Cooper indicated the others are "day-to-day".
With 10 days until round one officially starts and the Lightning conceding 1st round home ice advantage to the Leafs, they won't have an real distinct advantages, aside from perhaps in net. Andrei Vasilevskiy is still one of the best goalies on the planet, but with Samsonov taking such a huge step this season and narrowing the gap, the goaltending divide is not as profound as it was last year.
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