ERIK CERNAK NEWS

Set to return Cernak (undisclosed) is expected to play Thursday versus Utah.

Impact 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.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Cirelli scores twice in his 500th career game as the Lightning defeat the Penguins 6-1

Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1 on Tuesday night

MARCH 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Injured in Tuesday's game Cernak (undisclosed) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Penguins.

Impact 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.

MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up assist in shootout loss Cernak notched an assist and two blocked shots in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Flyers.

Impact 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 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.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

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.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Andrei Vasilevskiy makes 27 saves in the Lightning's 3-0 victory over the Flames

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and the 38th of his career in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3-0 victory over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night

FEBRUARY 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

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.

Impact Cernak waffled a shot from the point at 2:56 of the first that forced Alex Lyon from the game -- the goalie had allowed two goals on just three shots. The three points tied his NHL career high. "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 just 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.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

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.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Brandon Hagel shines as the Lightning cool off the Red Wings with a 6-3 victory

Brandon Hagel had two goals and two assists, and the Tampa Bay Lightning snapped Detroit’s seven-game win streak with a 6-3 victory over the Red Wings

FEBRUARY 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

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.

Impact 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 contests, 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.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Lightning beat Senators 5-1 to sweep 2-game series in Florida

Brandon Hagel scored the go-ahead goal for the second consecutive game, helping the Tampa Bay Lightning beat Ottawa 5-1 on Thursday night to sweep a two-game set with the Senators

FEBRUARY 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Garners helper Saturday Cernak notched an assist and three blocked shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders.

Impact This was Cernak's first point over four games since he returned 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.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

DeAngelo's overtime goal lifts Islanders to 3-2 win over Lightning

Tony DeAngelo converted on a breakaway 33 seconds into overtime to lift the New York Islanders to their seventh straight win, 3-2 over the Tampa Bay Lightning

FEBRUARY 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Good to go Cernak (undisclosed) will play against Detroit on Saturday, per Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun.

Impact Cernak will return to action following a four-game absence. He has generated 10 assists, 33 shots on goal, 53 blocked shots and 92 hits across 41 appearances this season. Cernak will replace Max Crozier in Saturday's lineup.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Probable to play Saturday Cernak (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Saturday's matchup against Detroit, according to Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun.

Impact During Saturday's media availability, coach Jon Cooper said that Cernak is "probable" to return from a four-game absence. The 27-year-old Cernak has 10 assists, 33 shots on goal, 53 blocked shots and 92 hits across 41 appearances this season. Max Crozier will probably be a healthy scratch versus the Red Wings if Cernak goes back into the lineup.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Out Friday, considered day-to-day Cernak (undisclosed) won't play Friday versus the Blackhawks, but head coach Jon Cooper considers the defenseman day-to-day moving forward, Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network...

Impact Cernak's absence Friday will be his fourth in a row. It's still possible he plays Saturday in Detroit. If he can't play in that contest, the Lightning return home for a rematch with the Blackhawks on Tuesday.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Tuesday Cernak (undisclosed) won't play Tuesday versus the Canadiens, Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun reports.

Impact Cernak will miss his third straight game, meaning Max Crozier will get another appearance. The next chance for Cernak to play is Friday in Chicago, which is the first half of a back-to-back to close out the Lightning's four-game road trip -- they're also in Detroit on Saturday.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected to play Cernak (undisclosed) didn't participate in the morning skate, per Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun, and isn't expected to play against Toronto on Monday.

Impact Max Crozier replaced Cernak in the lineup for Saturday's 5-1 win over Detroit, and the Lightning recalled the 24-year-old Crozier from AHL Syracuse on Monday. Cernak is day-to-day and could play during Tampa Bay's four-game road trip, which continues in Montreal on Tuesday.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Out of action Saturday Cernak (undisclosed) will be out of the lineup versus Detroit on Saturday, per Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun.

Impact Cernak was injured early in the first period against the Ducks on Thursday and did not return. He missed the morning skate Saturday and should be considered day-to-day at this time, ahead of the Lightning's four-game road trip that begins Tuesday in Anaheim. Cernak has 10 assists, 53 blocked shots and 92 hits over 41 contests this season. Look for Max Crozier to enter the lineup in place of Cernak.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Jake Guentzel scores only goal of shootout to give Lightning a 4-3 win over Ducks

Jake Guentzel scored the only goal in the shootout and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-3

JANUARY 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sustains undisclosed injury Cernak (undisclosed) exited Thursday's game versus the Ducks and won't return, Gabby Shirley of FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun reports.

Impact Cernak lasted just one shift into the contest before his departure. The Lightning have just six healthy defensemen on the roster, so if Cernak can't suit up Saturday versus the Red Wings, a roster move will likely be necessary.

JANUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Sends helper Thursday Cernak logged an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and three blocked shots in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Bruins.

Impact Cernak has chipped in three helpers over his last eight games. He doesn't often get on the scoresheet, but he remains in a top-four role as a shutdown defender. For the season, Cernak is at 10 helpers, 30 shots on net, 85 hits, 50 blocked shots and a plus-10 rating across 37 appearances.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Plucks apple in loss Cernak notched an assist in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Sharks.

Impact Cernak has two helpers, 10 hits and five blocked shots over his last four games. The 27-year-old set up Anthony Cirelli's second-period tally Thursday. Cernak doesn't add much on offense but plays a heavy physical game. He has nine points, all helpers, while adding 23 shots on net, 18 PIM, a plus-11 rating, 76 hits and 44 blocked shots through 33 appearances this season.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE