Cernak (undisclosed) will play in Ottawa on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was shaken up after fighting Washington's Tom Wilson on Saturday but his departure from the game appears to have mostly been precautionary. The rookie blueliner is currently stuck in a six-game scoring drought.

Cernak (undisclosed) did not return to Saturday's game.

EDGE Analysis

He fought Tom Wilson at 12:13 of the third period. After the game, Bolts' coach Jon Cooper said Cernak "is going to be OK." He won't need re-evaluation, unlike teammate Victor Hedman who left following a hit the head.

Cernak had to go to the locker room after fighting Washington's Tom Wilson on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak bit off a bit more than he could chew in challenging Washington's resident tough guy as he attempted to get a trailing Tampa Bay team fired up in the third period. With the Lightning losing Victor Hedman to an upper-body injury earlier in the contest, they're quite thin on defense at the moment. If Cernak doesn't come back to this one, his next chance to return will arrive Monday in Ottawa.

Cernak has three points (one goal, two assists), a plus-6 rating and 12 PIM in his last five games.

EDGE Analysis

He also has 14 hits in that span. Cernak has been a busy man lately and it's bringing his talent to fantasy owners seeking a late season boost. At minimum, Cernak can help you in plus-minus -- he's a stable defender playing more than 20 minutes a game. He has amassed a plus-25 rating this season.

Cernak scored a goal and added an assist in a 5-1 victory over the Senators on Saturday night.

EDGE Analysis

The big hitter also delivered four hits and finished plus-2 in 18:44, the third-highest ice time of Tampa's defenders (ahead of Dan Girardi, Mikhail Sergachev and Brayden Coburn). The points were his first in nine games. But Cernak has 16 points in 42 games and is playing hard minutes, including heavy time on the penalty kill. That's heady praise for this young defender.

Cernak led the NHL in hits this week with 19 in four games.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak is sure showing his grit. He averaged 18:58 and blocked seven shots, too. That's great for a 21-year-old right-shot defender who has also managed 16 points in 38 games. Cernak is playing important minutes and his future is remarkably bright. Watch him.

Cernak (lower body) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday against Montreal, NHL.com's Corey Long reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak has missed Tampa Bay's last two contests due to a lower-body injury, but all signs point to him returning to a middle-pairing role against the Canadiens. The 21-year-old rookie has notched nine points while posting a plus-14 rating in 34 appearances this season.

Cernak (lower body) has been ruled out of Thursday's contest against Dallas.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was given a chance to suit up against the Stars following Wednesday's practice, but now his next opportunity to return will be Saturday against Montreal. In the meantime, Tampa Bay will continue with the same defensive unit used in Tuesday's 6-3 win over Calgary.

Cernak (lower body) has a chance to play Thursday against Dallas, Bryan Burns of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The blueliner was deemed day-to-day Tuesday, but Burns' report indicates that a decision on Cernak's involvement in Thursday's contest will be made following morning skate.

Cernak is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Lightning have called up ex-Blackhawk Jan Rutta in response to this news. Cernak is no lock to play against the Flames on Tuesday, as he becomes the seventh defenseman on the active roster.