Lightning get Hedman back for Game 3 vs. Maple Leafs
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman returned to the lineup for a 4-3 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3 on Saturday.
The star blue-liner missed Game 2 and the final two periods of Game 1 after suffering an undisclosed injury.
With Hedman returning, Haydn Fleury exited the lineup. Erik Cernak remained out, though, so the Lightning went with the following defense pairs:
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Victor Hedman | Nick Perbix |
| Mikhail Sergachev | Darren Raddysh |
| Ian Cole | Zach Bogosian |
Hedman has been a Norris Trophy finalist in each of the last six seasons, winning the award in 2018. He's coming off a down year by his standards, though, as he recorded 49 points - his lowest since 2015-16 - in 76 regular-season games.
The 6-foot-6 Swede has a knack for elevating his game in the playoffs. The 2020 Conn Smythe Trophy winner entered Saturday with 107 points in 156 career postseason contests.