The Tampa Bay Lightning are running out of bodies.
In addition to the injuries to top-line center Steven Stamkos and top-pairing defenseman Anton Stralman, the Lightning will finish the second leg of their New York back-to-back without the services of both forward Ryan Callahan and No. 1 d-man Victor Hedman.
Callahan, who has been held without a point and just eight shots on net in four games since returning to the lineup, will be replaced on the Bolts’ second line by Jonathan Marchessault.
Meanwhile, Hedman’s absence comes as a result of this hit from Islander defenseman Thomas Hickey in Monday’s 5-2 defeat at the Barclays Center.
Hickey hit on Hedman #Isles #Bolts pic.twitter.com/movg0kBF0w
— Steven (@DoleWhipz) April 5, 2016
The big Swede has recorded 10 goals and 47 points for the Bolts this year, but has been especially strong since Stralman went down, with three goals and five points in the five games that have followed.
Hedman missed one game earlier this season when he was rocked by Dallas captain Jamie Benn.
With Hedman and Stralman out, the Tampa Bay defense will now be headlined by a top-pairing featuring Jason Garrison and Andrej Sustr.
The Bolts trail the Florida Panthers for first in the Atlantic Division by four points.