Lightning Without Cirelli, Cernak and Gourde Against Blue Jackets

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be without Anthony Cirelli on Thursday night when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Cirelli is out with a lower-body injury after briefly leaving Wednesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. He went down the tunnel during the game but eventually returned to the Lightning bench. He is considered day-to-day.

Yanni Gourde will also miss Thursday’s game, but his absence was planned as he continues to work his way back to 100%. Gourde is coming off hip surgery and will have a scheduled maintenance day.

The absences leave Tampa Bay thin down the middle, especially with Brayden Point already on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Jake Guentzel and Zemgus Girgensons are expected to fill in for Point and Cirelli at center.

The Lightning will also be without defenseman Erik Cernak, who left Wednesday’s game after being went headfirst into the curved portion of the glass to the left of the Lightning bench. Cernak is also considered day-to-day.