Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said defenseman Victor Hedman is doubtful to play in the remainder of the regular season as he nurses an upper-body injury, according to The Athletic's Joe Smith.
Cooper also said the club is hopeful that Hedman will return for the start of the playoffs.
Hedman was involved in a collision with Washington Capitals forward Carl Hagelin in Saturday's contest. The defenseman was forced to leave the game after Hagelin's helmet appeared to hit him in the head.
This is the pop to Hedmans head at the end of the first. Looks like Hagelin saw him coming and jumped up a bit on contact which created a head butt to Hedmans face. Seems as though Hedman is in concussion protocol right now. pic.twitter.com/z1ek2w8ARM
— Bolts Jolts (@BoltsJolts) March 31, 2019
Tampa Bay has just four games remaining in the regular season and has already secured the Presidents' Trophy.
The 28-year-old Hedman has been a workhorse for the team, registering 54 points across 70 games while averaging nearly 23 minutes per night.
