Cernak (undisclosed) did not finish Saturday's game versus the Bruins, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak didn't play after the second period, logging just 9:21 of ice time in the contest. The nature of his injury is unknown, but there should be more information on the blueliner before Sunday's game against the Flyers.

Cernak (upper body) will return to the lineup for Tuesday's game versus St. Louis, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak is expected to return to a second-pairing role Tuesday following his eight-game absence. The 24-year-old defender has picked up three helpers and 29 shots on net through 12 contests this season.

Cernak (upper body) will be a game-time decision Tuesday in St. Louis, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak missed his eighth straight game Sunday against Minnesota, but it sounds like he's close to returning. The 24-year-old blueliner has averaged 20:15 of ice time through 12 games this season, chipping in three points, 29 shots, 36 hits and 17 blocks along the way.

Cernak (lower body) took part in Friday's morning skate, but coach Jon Cooper said the defenseman won't be in the lineup against the Kraken in the evening, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cooper pointed to Sunday's game in Minnesota as a possible return date for Cernak. Once Cernak makes his return, the Lightning will likely either move Cal Foote to the press box or roll with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Cernak (upper body) skated in a regular jersey at Friday's morning skate, suggesting he could make his return to the lineup later in the day against Seattle, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Confirmation on Cernak's status should arrive before the puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST, but all signs point to the defenseman making his return following a six-game absence. Cal Foote is the most likely candidate to exit the lineup if Cernak is indeed ready to go against the visiting Kraken, who are a near anagram of his name.

Cernak (upper body) will not play Tuesday against Philadelphia but will be upgraded to day-to-day going forward, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tuesday will mark the sixth consecutive missed contest for the 24-year-old. Cernak will have a chance to return later this week, however, against the visiting Kraken on Friday. He's managed three points and 29 shots on goal in 12 games this year.

Head coach Jon Cooper said Cernak's upper-body injury is more of a week-to-week situation, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Cooper didn't provide many additional details, it sounds like the Lightning will be without one of their top-four defensemen for a while. With Cernak sidelined, Mikhail Sergachev's return from a suspension Saturday versus the Panthers should account for the lineup change.

Cernak (upper body) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was hurt in the first period and ultimately ruled out for the rest of the game during the second intermission. The 24-year-old has three assists, 36 hits and 17 blocked shots through 12 contests, so his absence will be more noticeable on the defensive side of the game. He'll have until Saturday against the Panthers to get healthy if he's to avoid missing time.

Cernak produced an assist, three shots on goal and four hits in Thursday's 7-6 overtime win over the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak helped spark the Lightning's third-period rally, setting up Ross Colton at 13:43 of the frame. The 24-year-old Cernak isn't known for much offense, but he was solid with 18 points in 46 outings last season. He'll play in a top-four role on the blue line, and he also provides a physical presence, as he came up two hits short of a triple-digit total in the category for a third straight season in 2020-21.

Cernak registered an assist and four hits in Friday's 6-3 win over the Canadiens in Game 3.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak helped spring a play that ended in Nikita Kucherov giving the Lightning a 3-1 lead just 1:40 into the second period. The 24-year-old Cernak has been productive at both ends of the ice in the playoffs. He's up to 10 points, 56 hits, 23 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating through 19 appearances. He'll continue to play a large role on the second pairing, although mostly as a defensive presence.