Per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times, Cernak (undisclosed) is slated to return to the lineup Saturday against Carolina, according to Tampa Bay assistant coach Rob Zettler.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak has missed the last two games. The 28-year-old blueliner has one goal and seven points across 43 games this season. Declan Carlile (undisclosed) should be the odd-man out Saturday against Carolina.

Cernak (undisclosed) practiced Friday and will be a game-time decision for Saturday's clash versus Carolina, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak has missed the last two games with the injury. He has one goal, six assists, 81 hits, 77 blocked shots and 52 PIM across 43 games this season. Look for Declan Carlile (undisclosed) to be scratched if Cernak is able to play.

Cernak (undisclosed) has been ruled out of Thursday's tilt against Detroit, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak should be considered day-to-day according to head coach Jon Cooper after Thursday's contest. Cernak will miss his second straight game and will be replaced in the lineup by Steve Santini once again. Cernak has one goal, six assists, 81 hits and 77 blocked shots across 43 appearances this season. He could return to action as early as Saturday versus Carolina.

Cernak (undisclosed) won't suit up against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Jon Cooper said that following Tuesday's game, Cernak can be considered day-to-day. The right-shot blueliner was injured during Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Sabres after a fight with Michael Kesselring in the second period, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. Steve Santini was brought up from the minors Tuesday to give the Lightning an extra defenseman while Cernak is out.

Cernak scored a goal on two shots and added four hits in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak scored for the first time since April 28, 2025, which was a playoff game versus the Panthers. This was his first regular-season tally since Feb. 27, 2025 against the Flames. The 28-year-old defenseman has had a tough year on offense with seven points, 32 shots on net, 73 hits, 67 blocked shots, 41 PIM and a plus-2 rating over 36 appearances.

Cernak (upper body) is available for Monday's home game against the Mammoth.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was injured Saturday in Columbus and classified as a game-time decision earlier Monday, but he's seemingly no worse for wear after taking a hard hit from Mathieu Olivier. The 28-year-old Cernak will skate on the second pairing next to Declan Carlile versus Utah.

Cernak (upper body) is considered a game-time decision for Monday's matchup against Utah, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak exited Saturday's game against the Blue Jackets due to his upper-body injury, and he'll be evaluated in the hours leading up to Monday's puck drop before the Lightning determine his status. If Cernak is unable to play, Max Crozier will likely enter the lineup.

Cernak (upper body) won't return to Saturday's game versus the Blue Jackets, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was hit hard by Mathieu Olivier in the first period. The 28-year-old Cernak needed some help getting off the ice, and it's unclear if he'll be able to bounce back quickly from this injury. The Lightning's next game is Monday at home versus the Mammoth.

Cernak logged an assist, five blocked shots, two hits and two PIM in Monday's 5-1 win over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

The helper was Cernak's first point in six games since he returned from a long-term hand injury. The 28-year-old defenseman has resumed a second-pairing role and will continue to provide steady physical play when in the lineup. For the season, Cernak has five helpers, 15 shots on net, 25 PIM, 54 hits and 54 blocked shots over 25 outings.

Cernak (hand) was activated off long-term injured reserve and is expected to play Wednesday versus Anaheim, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak hasn't been in the lineup since Nov. 22 because of the injury. He has four assists, 21 PIM, 40 hits and 43 blocks in 19 outings in 2025-26. Max Crozier might be a healthy scratch Wednesday as a result of Cernak's return.