Cernak (upper body) is expected to return to the lineup for Tuesday's game versus LA, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak should slot into a top-four role against the Kings. He's collected five assists through 37 contests this campaign.

Cernak (upper body) won't play Saturday against Boston, according to Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak, who is considered day-to-day, will miss his third straight contest. He has picked up five assists, 30 shots on goal, 61 blocked shots and 84 hits over 37 outings this season. Jack Thompson and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg will make their NHL debuts Saturday due to the absences of Cernak, Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) and Haydn Fleury (hand).

Cernak (upper body) won't return Thursday versus Minnesota

EDGE Analysis

Cernak also missed Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Winnipeg. He has five assists, 84 hits and 61 blocks in 37 contests this season. Cernak will likely serve in a top-four capacity once he returns, but he shouldn't be counted on to receive power-play ice time.

Per Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida, Cernak is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and won't be available for Tuesday's game against Winnipeg.

EDGE Analysis

With Cernak and Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) both sidelined, the Lightning will either have to ice 13 forwards or play a player short versus the Jets. Another update on Cernak, who's picked up five helpers through 37 contests this season, should surface once he's ready to rejoin the lineup.

Cernak (undisclosed) did not finish Sunday's game versus the Canadiens, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was leveled on a hit by Josh Anderson in the second period. With Haydn Fleury (undisclosed) also leaving the game and Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) already injured, the Lightning are feeling the pinch on the blue line. It's unclear if Cernak will be available for Tuesday's game in Winnipeg -- the Lightning didn't provide an update after the contest.

Cernak has 14 hits and 12 blocked shots in his last four games.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak isn't a scorer -- his best scoring season came in 2020-21 when he delivered 18 points in 46 games. But that was the season he delivered his lowest hit and block totals (98 and 46, respectively). This season, Cernak has just five assists in 35 games, but he has delivered 79 hits and 59 blocked shots. Any fantasy value he has is restricted to specialty leagues.

Cernak (upper body) will return to the lineup Thursday versus the Blackhawks, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak missed one game with the injury. The defenseman has three assists, 33 hits, 18 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating through 15 contests. He will likely play a defensive role in the Lightning's top four.

Cernak (upper body) won't be in the lineup Tuesday against the Blues, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak, who is considered day-to-day, was injured in Saturday's 4-0 loss to Carolina. He has three assists, 11 shots on goal, 18 blocked shots and 33 hits in 15 games this campaign. Cernak will be replaced in the lineup by Philippe Myers.

Cernak (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's clash with the Blues, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to reports, Cernak is expected to practice at Tuesday's game-day skate. Fantasy managers probably should expect the blueliner to be hit with a game-time decision label Tuesday. Considering the 26-year-old Slovak has never reached the 20-point mark in his six-year NHL career, he probably shouldn't be expected to suddenly start producing in the offensive end once given the all-clear.

Cernak, who left Saturday's game in the second period and didn't return, is being evaluated for an undisclosed injury, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak had a minus-1 rating in 9:57 of ice time before exiting the contest. He has three assists in 15 outings in 2023-24. If Cernak's not available for Tuesday's game versus St. Louis, then Philippe Myers might draw into the lineup.