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0:42Highlights: Devils at Lightning (11/18)
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6:18NHL Playoff Bracket Prediction
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0:00HQ Spotlight: Panthers vs Lightning Game 2 Preview
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0:49Highlights: Lightning at Flames (12/12)
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0:35Highlights: Lightning at Predators (11/29)
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1:30Highlights: Lightning at Blue Jackets (11/21)
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2025 Stats
| STATS |
A
Assists
|
P
Points
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+/-
Plus-Minus Goals Scored For or Against Total
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TOI/G
Time On Ice Per Game
|
PM
Penalty Minutes
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 4 | 4 | 0 | 19:19 | 21 |
Top Erik Cernak News
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Placed on injured reserve
Cernak (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Monday, per the NHL media site.
The Lightning announced Monday that Cernak was considered week-to-week due to an undisclosed injury, so his placement on injured reserve isn't particularly surprising. Declan Carlile and Steve Santini will likely operate on the third defensive pairing in Cernak's absence, while Maxim Groshev was called up from AHL Syracuse on Monday to provide additional depth.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Facing multi-week absence
Cernak was deemed week-to-week with an undisclosed injury, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports Monday.
Cernak's latest injury is reportedly unrelated to the previous issue that kept him out for a pair of games prior to his return to the lineup Saturday. This latest issue seems significantly more severe than the previous one, given his timeline. For now, it will be Declan Carlile and Steve Santini on the third pairing, though Maxim Groshev was called up from AHL Syracuse on Monday. If the Bolts need a roster spot, Cernak will likely be designated for injured reserve.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Bags apple Saturday
Cernak notched an assist and three blocked shots in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Capitals.
Cernak returned from a two-game absence due to a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old saw 23:24 of ice time in his return, a season-high mark, so he appears to have no limitations going forward as long as he can avoid other injuries. He's at four helpers, 13 shots on net, 21 PIM, 40 hits and 43 blocks through 19 outings this season. That heavy playing style can take a toll, but Cernak is a worthy option for fantasy managers in banger leagues.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Good to go
Cernak (lower body) is expected to play Saturday versus the Capitals, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cernak was on the likely side of a game-time decision and should be good to go after skating in warmups on the first pairing. Steve Santini will exit the lineup to make space for Cernak.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Game-time decision
Cernak (lower body) will be a game-time decision against Washington on Saturday, per Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley.
Tampa Bay hopes to have Cernak back following a two-game absence. The 28-year-old defender has three assists, 12 shots on goal, 40 blocked shots and 39 hits across 18 appearances this season. If Cernak returns to action, Steve Santini will be a healthy scratch versus the Capitals.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Remains out Thursday
Cernak (lower body) isn't available for Thursday's clash against Edmonton, according to Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site.
Cernak did participate in Thursday's morning skate, so he might still be able to play Saturday in Washington. The 28-year-old has three assists, 21 PIM, 39 hits and 40 blocks in 18 outings this year. The Lightning are projected to dress 12 forwards and six defensemen Thursday, but they might shift to an 11-7 split once Cernak is available, possibly at the expense of Dominic James.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not playing Tuesday
Cernak (lower body) won't play against New Jersey on Tuesday, according to Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site.
Cernak is day-to-day and will miss at least one game. He has chipped in three assists, 12 shots on goal, 40 blocked shots and 39 hits across 18 appearances this season. With Cernak and Max Crozier (undisclosed) unavailable, Declan Carlile and Steve Santini will be in Tuesday's lineup against the Devils.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Gets on scoresheet Tuesday
Cernak logged an assist, six hits and two PIM in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Predators.
Cernak is rarely a big contributor on offense, and that's held true with him earning two helpers over the Lightning's first 10 games. The 28-year-old continues to be a physical defenseman in a top-four role, racking up 21 hits, 23 blocked shots and eight PIM this season. His playing style can leave him vulnerable to injuries, but the lack of offense -- his career high is 21 points, set in 76 regular-season outings last year -- is what keeps him off the radar in most fantasy formats.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Suiting up Thursday
Cernak (undisclosed) will play Thursday versus the Senators, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.
Cernak missed some time late in the preseason due to his injury. The 28-year-old is set to serve as a shutdown defenseman on the Lightning's second pairing. His heavy playing style can be useful in deeper fantasy formats, but he is injury prone because of it.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Out Saturday
Cernak (undisclosed) is set to miss Saturday's preseason game against Florida, per Lightning radio announcer Dave Mishkin.
Cernak had three goals, 21 points, 50 PIM, 157 hits and 99 blocks across 76 regular-season appearances with Tampa Bay last year. If he's not available for the Lightning's regular-season opener versus Ottawa on Thursday, then that would significantly increase the chances of Max Crozier being in the lineup.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Misses third period Thursday
Cernak (undisclosed) did not play in the third period of Thursday's preseason game versus the Panthers, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.
Cernak was in and out of the game a couple of times after taking some knocks. There was no update on his status after the contest, but it's possible the Lightning are just taking the proper precautions to have him healthy for the start of the regular season next Thursday versus the Senators.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Buries goal in loss
Cernak scored a goal on three shots, added five hits and blocked three shots in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 4.
Cernak ended an 11-game point drought with his second-period tally. The 27-year-old blueliner continues to fill a shutdown role on the second pairing, which has earned him a plus-2 rating, 11 shots on net, 13 hits and four blocked shots over four playoff outings. He had a career year with 21 points and a plus-29 rating over 76 regular-season appearances.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Set to return
Cernak (undisclosed) is expected to play Thursday versus Utah.
Cernak left Tuesday's 6-1 win over Pittsburgh due to the injury, but it seems he won't miss a full game. He has three goals, 20 points, 35 PIM and 148 hits across 65 outings in 2024-25.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Injured in Tuesday's game
Cernak (undisclosed) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Penguins.
Cernak was hurt in the first period, though he was able to pick up an assist prior to his exit. He also had two hits and two blocked shots. The Lightning dressed seven defensemen Tuesday, so if Cernak misses any time, Darren Raddysh and Nick Perbix will be able to stay in the lineup and forward Mitchell Chaffee would probably check back in for Thursday's game against Utah.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Picks up assist in shootout loss
Cernak notched an assist and two blocked shots in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Flyers.
Cernak set up a Zemgus Girgensons tally in the second period. The helper was Cernak's second over seven contests this month, following a February in which he had three goals and three assists over eight outings. The 27-year-old isn't going to turn into a big scoring threat from the blue line overnight, but he appears to be tapping into his offense a bit more in the second half of the campaign. He's matched his career high of 18 points as well as setting a new personal best with 15 assists through 59 outings. Cernak also has 53 shots on net, 129 hits, 87 blocked shots and a plus-24 rating this season.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Provides breathing room with goal
Cernak scored a goal, added two hits and blocked two shots in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Flames.
Cernak had a somewhat surprising February with three goals and three assists over eight games. That makes it his most productive month of the campaign despite the limited number of contests. Overall, Cernak is at three goals, 13 assists, 47 shots on net, 117 hits, 72 blocked shots and a plus-25 rating through 52 appearances. He's two points away from matching his career-high 18 from the 2020-21 campaign, which came in a 46-game sample. Fantasy managers shouldn't roster Cernak for scoring potential -- it's his physicality and defense that appeal to those in deeper formats, though his playing style also comes with a high risk of injuries.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Ties career mark with three points
Cernak scored a goal and added two assists in a 6-3 win over the Red Wings on Saturday.
Cernak waffled a shot from the point at 2:56 of the first, resulting in Alex Lyon getting the hook from the game -- the goalie had allowed two goals on just three shots. The three points tied Cernak's NHL career high for a single outing. "You don't see a lot of offense from me, so that was exciting," said Cernak after the game. "I just try to get the puck to our forwards and let them make magic." The 27-year-old stay-at-home defender has two goals and 15 points in 48 games this season. Both goals and three assists have come in Cernak's last four games. It's a nice run, but it's not sustainable enough to make him valuable in fantasy arenas.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Fills empty cage Thursday
Cernak scored an empty-net goal on two shots, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Senators.
Cernak netted his first goal of the season to end any threat of a Senators comeback. It was also the 100th point of his career, a milestone he reached in his 412th contest. He has two points over his last three games, but the 27-year-old defenseman rarely puts up consistent offense. He's at 12 points, 41 shots on net, 100 hits, 64 blocked shots, 29 PIM and a plus-15 rating through 47 appearances.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Garners helper Saturday
Cernak notched an assist and three blocked shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders.
Cernak earned his first point over four games since returning from an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old defenseman has been back in his usual second-pairing role, though his playing style rarely leads to much offense. He has 11 helpers, 38 shots on net, 96 hits, 62 blocked shots, 27 PIM and a plus-13 rating over 45 appearances this season. Staying healthy remains tricky for Cernak at times, but he's on pace to challenge his career high of 18 points from the 2020-21 campaign.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-4, 230 lbs |
| Birthplace: Kosice, Slovakia |
| Age: 28 |
| Experience: 7 |
| Shoots: Right |