It's been a difficult year for the Tampa Bay Lightning in regards to injuries, but their fortune may be starting to turn around.
They recently got Brandon Hagel back from injury and now it seems Erik Cernak is going to be back sooner rather than later, as he was in a normal jersey at practice this afternoon, rather than a non-contact jersey:
The Lightning blue line is currently decimated by injuries, as Cernak is joined on the injured reserve by two of their top defensemen, Ryan McDonagh and Victor Hedman.
The Slovakian defenseman has missed half of the season due to injury, as he initially missed a very small period of time in late November after he was a late scratch against the New Jersey Devils. He returned four days later to play against the Washington Capitals. Following that game, he was declared week-to-week with what appears to be a lower-body injury however it is officially undisclosed.
In 19 games this season, Cernak has been a key part of the Lightning's defensive game. While he doesn't have much offensive upside, his defensive ability and physicality make him a very valuable piece to head coach Jon Cooper's lineup on a nightly basis.