The Lightning got struck not once, not twice, but three times in the injury department this week.
One was just acquired from the Flyers days ago for fellow defenseman Radko Gudas, a first and a third in the 2015 Draft.
Coburn out 4-6 weeks with lower body injury #TBLightning
— Michelle Gingras (@michellegingras) March 12, 2015
Brought in to stabilize defense, the 30-year old Braydon Coburn played in just 39 games for the Flyers this season due to a lower-body injury he sustained back in January that put him out for a few weeks, oddly enough occurring in a game against the Lightning. He had one goal and nine points with the Flyers and two assists in four games played so far with his new team in the sunshine state. Defenseman Matt Carle looks to be on his way back, albeit through pain, from his injury this Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets, so that could lessen the blow a bit.
Another suffering Bolt comes in the form of Cedric Paquette, a 21-year old rookie that looks to be another great up and coming young player for General Manager Steve Yzerman’s group.
And Cedric Paquette out 10-14 days with an upper body injury #TBLightning
— Michelle Gingras (@michellegingras) March 12, 2015
Paquette has 12 goals and 19 points in 56 games played this season.
Last but certainly not least, the third struck Bolt has been part of one of the most dynamic lines in hockey.
Palat is out 2-3 weeks with a lower-body injury #TBLightning
— Michelle Gingras (@michellegingras) March 12, 2015
This may be the biggest loss of the bunch. Palat has been an integral part of the “triplets line” of him, Tyler Johnson, and Nikita Kucherov, potting 15 goals and 52 points. With this absence however, comes opportunity and depth, and the Tampa Bay Lightning certainly have a lot of that. Jonathan Drouin and Alex Kilhorn will be given more opportunities to make an impact wherever they play in the lineup.
Head coach Jon Cooper certainly feels that way and speaks highly of injury call-up Mike Angelidis from the Syracuse Crunch.
“We hit a little adversity but this a chance for some guys to get more minutes now and they’re gonna have to step up and take the spot of some guys that have been impact players for us.”
(on Angelidis) “He’s a leader, wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s gonna give you everything.”
-Jon Cooper, Lightning Head Coach. (@MichelleGingras)
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