Head coach Jon Cooper expects Cernak (upper body) to play Tuesday in Los Angeles, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak wasn't able to suit up Saturday against the Islanders but it looks like he'll limit his absence to just one game. Barring a setback, he'll be back in a top-four role when the Lightning begin their three-game road trip through California on Tuesday.

Cernak (upper body) is considered day-to-day and will not suit up Saturday against the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak appeared to suffer an injury late in Friday's win over Florida and he'll miss at least one game as a result. The 25-year-old blueliner is averaging 20:35 of ice time with 14 hits through five games but he's failed to record a point. The Lightning's next game is in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Cernak agreed to terms on an eight-year, $41.6 million deal with Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak is one of three Bolts, including Anthony Cirelli and Mikhail Sergachev to receive eight-year extensions Wednesday. For his part, the 25-year-old Cernak isn't exactly a fantasy darling considering he has never reached the 20-point mark in his four NHL seasons. Still, the shutdown defender will be a key piece of the Bolts' blue line for the foreseeable future, even if he's not on most fantasy rosters.

Cernak (lower body) is expected to play in Friday's Game 5 versus the Avalanche, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak has been trending toward playing despite not finishing Wednesday's Game 4 after a shot block. The 25-year-old will play in his usual defense-first position on the second pairing.

When asked about Cernak's (lower body) status for Friday's Game 5 against Colorado, coach Jon Cooper said "He is feeling better. I am pretty confident he is going to play tonight," Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak's status for Friday's contest will likely boil down to a game-time decision, but it sounds like he's closer to probable than questionable for Game 5. He's registered two points, 75 hits and 42 blocks through 21 contests this postseason.

Cernak (lower body) didn't finish Game 4 versus the Avalanche on Wednesday, per Bally Sports Florida.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak blocked a shot from Nathan MacKinnon on a penalty kill in the second period. Cernak went to the locker room, but he was on the bench for the third period without logging a shift. The defenseman had an assist and 7:37 of ice time Wednesday, but his status is unclear heading into the Lightning's must-win Game 5 on Friday.

Cernak scored the game-winning goal in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Panthers in Game 3 in the Eastern Conference Second Round.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak picked the top corner from the left face-off circle at 2:54 of the second period. Scoring is a bit of a departure for the big defender, who is better known for shutdown defending and shorthanded play than offense. Cernak played 19:37 on Sunday, including 3:57 on the penalty kill, and delivered four hits, three blocked shots and two shots on goal.

Cernak (undisclosed) is slated to play in Game 2 versus the Panthers on Thursday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was forced to leave Game 1 due to his undisclosed injury after just 10:25 of ice time. Considering the blueliner has just one point in his last 13 contests, few fantasy players were likely impacted by his absence or his expected return for Game 2.

Cernak (undisclosed) exited Tuesday's Game 1 versus the Panthers after blocking a shot, Joe Smith of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak was hurt in the second period and did not return for the third. The defenseman has played mostly a defensive role in the Lightning's top-four, so this would be a more noticeable absence on the ice than in fantasy if he misses time. Jan Rutta would likely stay in the lineup and Riley Nash could draw in at forward if Cernak isn't available for Thursday's Game 2.

Cernak (upper body) will play Thursday versus Columbus, source reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cernak exited Tuesday's win over the Blue Jackets after logging just 3:59 of ice time, but whatever forced him from that contest evidently wasn't overly serious. The 24-year-old defender is expected to slot into a top-pairing role for Thursday's rematch with Columbus.