Cernak (lower body) will not play Saturday in Buffalo per the NHL media site.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak partook in warmups but it was ultimately decided to give him another day to recover. Darren Raddysh replaced Cernak on the Lightning blue line. Cernak has a goal, 10 assists, 166 hits and 81 blocked shots in 53 games this season.

Cernak (undisclosed) left Thursday's game versus the Penguins in the second period and did not return, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Jon Cooper didn't provide an update on Cernak's status after the contest. The 25-year-old defenseman should be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's road game in Buffalo. If he can't play, Zach Bogosian would likely rejoin the lineup.

Cernak has served his two-game suspension and will be available versus Florida on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak hasn't scored a goal since Dec. 13 versus Seattle, a stretch of 27 contests during which he's garnered six assists, 36 shots and 81 hits. The 25-year-old blueliner has never reached the 20-point threshold in his five-year NHL career and is unlikely to do so again this season with just 11 points in 51 games.

Cernak received a two-game suspension Friday as punishment for elbowing Buffalo's Kyle Okposo during Thursday's game.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak has a goal, 11 points, 164 hits and 78 blocks in 51 contests while averaging 19:20 of ice time this season. With him ineligible to play, Cal Foote might draw into the lineup Saturday versus Detroit after serving as a healthy scratch in Tampa Bay's previous two contests. Cernak will also be forced to miss Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, but the 25-year-old can play Tuesday versus Florida.

Cernak will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday after elbowing the Sabres' Kyle Okposo on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was not assessed a penalty at the time and finished the contest with an assist and a plus-one rating in 19:34 of action. Cernak has a goal and 11 points with 164 hits and 78 blocks in 51 games this season.

Cernak (upper body) will return to the lineup Tuesday against Anaheim, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak has accumulated 10 points, 54 shots on goal, 77 blocks and 156 hits in 49 contests this campaign. He is projected to be back alongside Mikhail Sergachev following a two-game absence.

Cernak (upper body) will miss Saturday's game versus the Golden Knights, Lightning play-by-play announcer Dave Randorf reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak will miss a second straight game with the injury, and the Lightning have provided no indication of how long he'll be out. Nick Perbix should continue to stick in the lineup while Cernak is sidelined. The Lightning's next game is Tuesday at home versus the Ducks.

Cernak (upper body) won't play Wednesday versus the Coyotes, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak logged just 16:32 of ice time in Tuesday's game versus the Avalanche, though there was no previous indication he was injured. The 25-year-old's absence likely allows Nick Perbix to draw back into the lineup. Cernak should be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's game versus the Golden Knights.

Cernak has 22 hits in his last five games.

EDGE Analysis

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defender is tied with Minnesota's Marcus Foligno for 15th in the NHL in hits (140). Cernak has one goal, nine assists and 73 blocks in 44 games this season.

Cernak produced an assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak has assists in back-to-back games, and three helpers over his last five outings. His primary apple on a Brayden Point goal Wednesday got Cernak to the 10-point mark in 39 appearances this season. He's got a realistic chance at challenging his career high of 18 points, though his heavy playing style often puts him at risk of injuries. The 25-year-old blueliner has added 118 hits, 66 blocked shots, 26 PIM, 37 shots on net and a plus-4 rating this season.