Lightning’s Hedman ‘an option really soon’ but out for must-win Game 6, Cooper says
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
MONTREAL – Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper says captain Victor Hedman is nearing a return but won’t play Friday night with the Lightning facing elimination.
The Lightning trail the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 heading into Game 6 of their first-round series at the Bell Centre.
“He’s going to be the option really soon,” Cooper said. “It’s hard for me to sit here and say whether he’s going to play in this series or not. This has a maximum of two games left. The series, regardless, is over in 60 hours or whatever it is.
“Our anticipation is that our season isn’t going to end tonight, so take it for what it is, but he’s not playing tonight.”
Cooper said earlier in the matchup that Hedman was unlikely to play in the series.
Hedman skated as a regular during Tampa Bay’s morning practice, but hasn’t played since March 19.
The 35-year-old Swede — a Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP in 2020 — took a temporary leave for personal reasons on March 25, rejoining the team early in the first-round series.
He was limited to 33 games in the regular season, posting one goal and 16 assists after also missing time due to elbow surgery and an undisclosed injury.
“It may seem like, ‘Oh, Jon Cooper’s got a gut feeling.’ Yeah, a lot of decisions you make sometimes you go with your gut, but not in situations where guys have been hurt, injured, there’s a whole process to that,” Cooper said. “I would never put a player into a situation where the player wasn’t 100 per cent comfortable.”
Cooper did not reveal whether forward Nick Paul or defenceman Charles-Édouard D’Astous would draw back into the lineup.
Paul missed Game 5’s 3-2 loss in Tampa, Fla., with an illness and D’Astous hasn’t played since he was injured on a high hit from Canadiens forward Josh Anderson in Game 1.
The Canadiens, meanwhile, were expected to run with the same lineup after holding a well-attended optional skate Friday morning.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2026.