Impact Cernak should slot into a top-four role against the Kings. He's collected five assists through 37 contests this campaign.
JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE
ERIK CERNAK #81 - DEFENSE - TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
0 G •
5 A •
0.72 S/G
0 G
5 A
0.72 S/G
Expected to play Cernak (upper body) is expected to return to the lineup for Tuesday's game versus LA, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Won't play Saturday Cernak (upper body) won't play Saturday against Boston, according to Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com.
Impact Cernak, who is considered day-to-day, will miss his third straight contest. He has picked up five assists, 30 shots on goal, 61 blocked shots and 84 hits over 37 outings this season. Due to the absences of Cernak, Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) and Haydn Fleury (hand), Jack Thompson and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg will make their NHL debuts Saturday.
JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE
Out Thursday Cernak (upper body) won't return Thursday versus Minnesota
Impact Cernak also missed Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Winnipeg. He has five assists, 84 hits and 61 blocks in 37 contests this season. Cernak will likely play in a top-four capacity once he returns, but he shouldn't be counted on to receive power-play ice time.
JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE
Deemed day-to-day Per Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida, Cernak is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and won't be available for Tuesday's game against Winnipeg.
Impact With Cernak and Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) both sidelined, the Lightning will either have to ice 13 forwards or play a player short versus the Jets. Another update on Cernak, who's picked up five helpers through 37 contests this season, should surface once he's ready to rejoin the lineup.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Injured in Sunday's game Cernak (undisclosed) did not finish Sunday's game versus the Canadiens, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.
Impact Cernak was leveled on a hit by Josh Anderson in the second period. With Haydn Fleury (undisclosed) also leaving the game and Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) already injured, the Lightning are feeling the pinch on the blue line. It's unclear if Cernak will be available for Tuesday's game in Winnipeg -- the Lightning didn't provide an update after the contest.
JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Hitting and blocking, not scoring Cernak has 14 hits and 12 blocked shots in his last four games.
Impact Cernak isn't a scorer -- his best scoring season came in 2020-21 when he delivered 18 points in 46 games. But that was the season he delivered his lowest hit and block totals (98 and 46, respectively). This season, Cernak has just five assists in 35 games, but he has delivered 79 hits and 59 blocked shots. Any fantasy value he has is restricted to specialty leagues.
DECEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Set to return Thursday Cernak (upper body) will return to the lineup Thursday versus the Blackhawks, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Cernak missed one game with the injury. The defenseman has three assists, 33 hits, 18 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating through 15 contests. He will likely play a defensive role in the Lightning's top four.
NOVEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play Tuesday Cernak (upper body) won't be in the lineup Tuesday against the Blues, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times.
Impact Cernak, who is considered day-to-day, was injured in Saturday's 4-0 loss to Carolina. He has three assists, 11 shots on goal, 18 blocked shots and 33 hits in 15 games this campaign. Cernak will be replaced in the lineup by Philippe Myers.
NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Labeled day-to-day Cernak (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's clash with the Blues, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.
Impact According to reports, Cernak is expected to practice at Tuesday's game-day skate. Fantasy players probably should expect the blueliner to be hit with a game-time decision label Tuesday. Considering the 26-year-old Slovak has never reached the 20-point mark in his six-year NHL career, he probably shouldn't be expected to suddenly start producing in the offensive end once given the all-clear.
NOVEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Leaves game with injury Cernak left Saturday's game in the second period with an undisclosed injury. He did not return.
Impact Cernak isn't a fantasy force, but he's a pillar on the ice. There was no update on his status after the game.
NOVEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Lightning's Erik Cernak recovered from concussion, eager to contribute The defenseman says he holds no ill will toward Toronto’s Michael Bunting, who knocked him out of the playoffs with an illegal hit to the he...
OCTOBER 8, 2023 • TAMPABAY.COM
Practices Thursday Cernak (concussion) was on the ice for Thursday's practice to begin Lightning training camp, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.
Impact Cernak was sidelined by a concussion in the first round of the playoffs, missing the final five games of the Lightning's six-game series loss. The 26-year-old defenseman is no stranger to injuries, but it appears he's healthy to begin training camp. He had 16 points, 209 hits, 100 blocked shots and 87 shots on goal in a career-high 70 games last season, playing in a top-four role as a defensive specialist.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Not playing Saturday Cernak (upper body) won't play Saturday in Game 6 versus Toronto, Kristie Achert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Cernak was injured in Game 1 courtesy of a Michael Bunting elbow to the face. Bunting was given a three-game suspension for his misdeed. Zach Bogosian will likely continue to take Cernak's spot in the lineup.
APRIL 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Not playing in Game 5 Cernak (upper body) won't be in the lineup for Game 5 against Toronto on Thursday, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Impact Cernak will miss his fourth consecutive contest after getting injured in Tampa Bay's playoff opener April 18. As a result of his absence, Zach Bogosian will likely remain in the lineup.
APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play Monday Cernak (upper body) won't play Monday in Game 4 against Toronto, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
Impact Cernak will miss his third consecutive contest after getting injured in Tuesday's playoff opener. He produced 16 points, 100 blocked shots and 209 hits in 70 games during the regular season. Zach Bogosian has been suiting up for the Lightning during Cernak's absence.
APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Not practicing Saturday Cernak (upper body) is not at practice Saturday, according to Mark Masters of TSN.
Impact Cernak missed Game 2 after taking an elbow to the face in Game 1 on Tuesday, courtesy of Michael Bunting. Bunting received a three-game suspension for his misdeed. The Lightning are expected to be without Cernak for Game 3 with Zach Bogosian once again drawing into the lineup as a third-pairing defenseman.
APRIL 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Michael Bunting suspended 3 games for illegal hit on Erik Cernak TORONTO — After knocking Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak out of Tuesday’s first-round playoff opener with an illegal hit to the head, Maple...
APRIL 20, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Leafs' Bunting suspended 3 games for head shot on Cernak
Toronto's Michael Bunting has been suspended three games for a head shot on Tampa Bay's Erik Cernak in the teams' first-round series openerAPRIL 19, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Won't play in Game 2 Cernak (upper body) won't play in Thursday's Game 2 versus Toronto, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact With Cernak still feeling the effects of the high hit he took from Toronto's Michael Bunting during Tuesday's Game 1, look for Zach Bogosian or Haydn Fleury to enter the lineup Thursday. Check back for another update on Cernak's status prior to Saturday's Game 3.
APRIL 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Toronto Maple Leafs' Michael Bunting ejected for hit on Tampa Bay Lightning's Erik Cernak Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting was ejected from Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning for a hit on defenseman Erik Cernak.
APRIL 19, 2023 • USATODAY.COM
Maple Leafs' Bunting receives match penalty for hit on Lightning's Cernak Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting received a match penalty for an illegal check to the head on Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Erik...
APRIL 19, 2023 • THESTAR.COM
Michael Bunting Receives Match Penalty For High Hit On Lightning's Erik Cernak
APRIL 19, 2023 • YOUTUBE
Exits after high hit Cernak (upper body) left Tuesday's Game 1 versus the Maple Leafs after a hit from Michael Bunting, Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun reports.
Impact Bunting was given a match penalty on the play, while Cernak was unable to return. The 25-year-old Cernak has missed short stretches of time on multiple occasions this season. It's unclear if he'll be available to suit up for Thursday's Game 2.
APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Sokolov scores first NHL goal, Senators beat Lightning 7-4
Egor Sokolov scored his first NHL goal and the Ottawa Senators beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-4 on Saturday nightAPRIL 9, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Expected to play Saturday Cernak (undisclosed) is expected to be in the lineup Saturday versus the Senators, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Impact Cernak will return after a one-game absence. He should fill his usual top-four role and serve as a defensive presence for the Lightning as they look to finish the season strong.
APRIL 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
