Sergachev was credited with an assist Friday, but he earned another minus rating during the Lighting's 3-2 overtime win over the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Sergachev needs to get back to playing a smart, responsible game. The 2016 first-round draft pick earned his third helper of the season Friday, but consistency has been evading his on-ice developments. Sergachev was a plus player during each of his previous six seasons, including a career-best plus-15 during 2019-20. The 24-year-old defenseman has twice compiled 31-assist seasons and looks like he will continue to add to his offensive approach. His defensive mindset may need a tweak or two, though.

Sergachev (undisclosed) blocked seven shots and went minus-2 in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Sergachev sustained an injury in the preseason, but he was always expected to play in the regular-season opener. That proved true, and he made his mark defensively, though he was also on the ice for both of the Rangers' non-power-play tallies. The 24-year-old blueliner is expected to cover most of the void left from the trade of Ryan McDonagh to the Predators in the offseason, so expect Sergachev to be a fixture in the Lightning's top four on defense. He put together a solid campaign last year with 38 points, 149 shots on net, 139 hits, 123 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating, providing decent category coverage for fantasy managers, and those numbers should go up with a larger role.

Sergachev (undisclosed) is good to go for Opening Night on Tuesday versus the Rangers, Eduardo A. Encina of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sergachev was held out of some preseason action, but it was expected that he would be fine once the 2022-23 campaign was ready to begin. He was paired with Erik Cernak during the morning skate and is projected to see time on the second power-play unit as well. Sergachev is poised to take on an increased role this year after Ryan McDonagh was traded in the offseason.

Sergachev (undisclosed) will be held out of Friday's preseason game against Florida.

EDGE Analysis

The good news is that Sergachev is still expected to be fine for Tampa Bay's regular season opener Tuesday versus the Rangers. The Lightning are looking for Sergachev to play a key role this season, especially after trading Ryan McDonagh over the summer.

Sergachev left Thursday's game versus the Panthers with an injury and will undergo further evaluation Friday, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Jon Cooper suggested that keeping Sergachev out of Thursday's game after the first period was at least partially a precaution. The Lightning don't need any injuries to their blue line given their tight cap situation. Sergachev's status should be updated in the coming days.

Sergachev will be taking on a bigger role on the Lightning blue line this season, reports NHL.com.

EDGE Analysis

This doesn't really come as a surprise with the summer departure of Ryan McDonagh, but Sergachev has seized the opportunity this summer to prove he can do more. "It's a big opportunity for me to kind of show what I'm about," Sergachev said. "[This summer] I was trying to get stronger a little bit. I was working on my endurance so I could play more." He will be expected to eat more ice on the second pairing and in all situations, and the ninth overall pick in 2016 has the physicality and offensive tools to do it.

Sergachev penned an eight-year, $68 million contract extension with Tampa Bay on Wednesday, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sergachev will become the Lightning's highest-paid defenseman next season, earning more than Norris Trophy winner Victor Hedman. The Bolts obviously have a lot of faith in the 24-year-old Sergachev to be willing to lock him down for the next nine seasons including the one year remaining on his current deal. While Sergachev is unlikely to ever challenge Hedman for the team lead in points, the youngster has consistently reached the 30-point mark in each of his five seasons with Tampa Bay.

Sergachev notched two assists and two hits in Friday's 3-2 win over the Avalanche in Game 5.

EDGE Analysis

Sergachev had helpers on goals by Jan Rutta and Ondrej Palat in this contest, with the latter's tally standing as the game-winner. This ended a three-game dry spell for Sergachev, who continues to make most of his impact with physical play. The 23-year-old defenseman has two goals, eight helpers, 26 shots on net, 49 hits, 39 blocked shots, 18 PIM and a plus-7 rating through 22 playoff games.

Sergachev scored a goal on three shots, logged six hits, blocked four shots and added two PIM in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Avalanche in Game 1.

EDGE Analysis

Sergachev's tally came 48 seconds after Ondrej Palat pulled the Lightning within a goal in the second period. They forced overtime, but only last 1:23 into the extra frame before taking the loss. Sergachev has been at his best lately with two goals and two assists in his last three games, giving him eight points in 18 playoff outings overall. The 23-year-old defenseman has added 22 shots on net, 29 blocked shots, 38 hits, 14 PIM and a plus-6 rating.

Sergachev recorded an assist, three shots on goal, three hits, three blocked shots and two PIM in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Rangers in Game 6.

EDGE Analysis

Sergachev had the secondary helper on a Steven Stamkos tally in the second period. With a goal and two assists in his last two games, Sergachev has rediscovered his offense following a five-game point drought. The 23-year-old blueliner is up to seven points, 19 shots, 32 hits, 25 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating in 17 playoff contests.