Cernak scored his first goal of the postseason in Monday's 5-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

EDGE Analysis

Opening the scoring Monday, Cernak redirected a tip high that beat Carey Price on a nice feed from Ondrej Palat for his first goal of the playoffs. The Slovakian defenseman now has nine points in 17 games this postseason and also provided three shots and three hits in 19:03 of ice time in the contest.

Cernak (undisclosed) provided four hits, three shots and two blocks in Friday's 1-0 win over the Islanders in Game 7.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak had missed the previous two games due to his injury, but he stepped right back into the mix with 19:50 of ice time while logging a team-high 28 shifts. The 24-year-old blueliner has eight assists, 24 PIM and a plus-7 rating in 16 playoff games.

Cernak (undisclosed) is expected to play in Friday's Game 7 versus the Islanders, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak took line rushes in his usual spot on the second pairing with Ryan McDonagh. The 24-year-old Cernak is set to return after a two-game absence. He's racked up eight helpers in 15 playoff contests so far.

Cernak is considered questionable for Friday's Game 7 versus the Islanders, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak's status for Friday's contest likely won't be determined until Tampa Bay takes the ice for pregame warmups. If Cernak's unable to go, Luke Schenn will likely continue to fill in on the Lightning's third pairing.

Coach Jon Cooper said Cernak (undisclosed) won't be available for Wednesday's Game 6 against the Islanders, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old was a late scratch ahead of Monday's victory, as he'll miss his second consecutive game. Cernak has been strong in the series, recording two assists, six hits and three blocks across four games. Cooper added that Cernak will be evaluated following Wednesday's contest, so expect the team to update the defenseman's status ahead of a potential Game 7 on Friday. Luke Schenn will remain in the lineup to replace Cernak for Wednesday's game.

Cernak (undisclosed) will not be in Monday's Game 5 lineup against the Islanders, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was with the team for warmups before the game but will be replaced in the lineup by Luke Schenn. The 24-year-old blueliner has eight assists and a plus-7 rating in 15 postseason games. He'll be considered questionable for Game 6 on Wednesday until another update is available.

Cernak (undisclosed) recorded an assist, four blocked shots and three hits in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Hurricanes in Game 2.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was initially questionable for Tuesday's game, but he was able to suit up in his usual second-pairing role. He provided the secondary assist on Anthony Cirelli's game-winning goal in the third period. The 24-year-old Cernak has been effective throughout the playoffs with five assists, 21 hits, 13 blocked shots, 16 shots on goal and a plus-7 rating in eight contests. He logged 20:53 of ice time Tuesday, so he should be clear of any lingering effects from the minor injury that sent him to the locker room early in Sunday's Game 1.

Cernak (undisclosed) will play Game 2 in Carolina on Tuesday, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak departed Game 1 midway though Sunday with the issue, but he's ready to rock without having to sit out any games. The Slovakian blueliner produced a respectable 18 points in 46 games this year and has managed four assists in his last four playoff contests.

Cernak (undisclosed) is considered questionable for Tuesday's Game 2 versus Carolina, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak exited Sunday's Game 1 victory with an undisclosed injury after logging just 12:36 of ice time. The 24-year-old blueliner's status for Tuesday's contest likely won't be confirmed until Tampa Bay takes the ice for pregame warmups.

Cernak posted two assists and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Panthers in Game 6.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak helped out on third-period tallies by Brayden Point and Alex Killorn to solidify the Lightning's lead in their series-clinching win. The 23-year-old Cernak has provided four assists, 12 shots on net, 17 hits, eight blocked shots and a plus-7 rating through six postseason outings. He's a key defensive player in the top four, but he shouldn't be counted on for much more than a supporting role on offense.