Cernak scored his first goal of the season in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout win over the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old blueliner opened the scoring early in the first period, firing a shot from the top of the faceoff circle that trickled through Linus Ullmark's five-hole. Cernak has two points in four games since returning from an upper-body injury, but his main fantasy value comes from his physical play -- he dished a game-high eight hits Tuesday, and on the season Cernak has 110 hits and 69 blocked shots in 43 games.

Cernak (upper body) is good to play Wednesday versus the Rangers, according to Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak, who last played Jan. 11, has five assists, 23 PIM, 90 hits and 63 blocks in 39 outings in 2023-24. He's penciled in to play on the second pairing alongside Mikhail Sergachev, who is returning from a lower-body injury, versus New York. With the Lightning set to get two defensemen back, Calvin de Haan and Haydn Fleury are slated to be healthy scratches Wednesday.

Cernak (upper body) won't play Thursday against Arizona or Saturday versus New Jersey, but he should be ready to return following the All-Star break, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak will set his sights on returning to action Feb. 7 against the Rangers. He's collected just five helpers through 39 contests this campaign, so fantasy managers shouldn't need to keep tabs on Cernak.

Cernak (upper body) won't play Tuesday versus Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak, who remains day-to-day, will miss his fifth straight contest. He has supplied five assists, 31 shots on goal, 63 blocked shots and 90 hits across 39 outings this campaign. Max Crozier will play again versus the Flyers due to Cernak's absence.

Cernak (upper body) is not available for Sunday's game against Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak has now missed four straight games and it's unclear when the team expects him to return. His next chance to suit up will be Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Cernak (upper body) won't play Saturday against the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak will miss a third game after suffering an injury Jan. 11 against New Jersey. Emil Martinsen Lilleberg and Max Crozier will round out Tampa's third pairing. The 26-year-old Cernak has five assists, 90 hits and 63 blocked shots in 39 games this season. It remains to be seen if he will be ready to go Sunday versus Detroit.

Cernak (upper body) isn't expected to play Thursday versus Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak has five assists, 90 hits and 63 blocks in 39 outings in 2023-24. This will be his second straight game out of the lineup. With Cernak absent, Max Crozier is projected to serve on the third pairing Thursday.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that Cernak (upper body) will not play Saturday versus Anaheim.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was injured Thursday versus New Jersey. He has five assists, 90 hits and 63 blocked shots in 39 games this season. Philippe Myers will take his spot in the lineup as a third-pairing defenseman.

Cernak (upper body) is considered day-to-day, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

At this point, Cernak should probably be considered questionable at best for Saturday's game against Anaheim. Either way, the 26-year-old defender has collected just five helpers through 39 contests this campaign, so fantasy managers shouldn't need to track his availability.

Cernak won't return to Thursday's game against New Jersey because of an upper-body injury.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak missed three contests from Jan. 2-6 because of an upper-body injury, but it's not clear if his current issue is related. He recorded one hit on 7:58 of ice time before departing Thursday's game. If Cernak can't play Saturday against Anaheim, then Philippe Myers will likely draw into the lineup.