Bolts' Hedman to return for Game 1 vs. Blue Jackets

The Tampa Bay Lightning will have blue-liner Victor Hedman in the lineup for Game 1 versus the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night, head coach Jon Cooper confirmed to The Athletic's Joe Smith.

Hedman missed Tampa Bay's final four games of the regular season due to an upper-body injury suffered March 30, but said he's feeling good with the playoffs approaching.

The reigning Norris Trophy winner produced another monster season for the Lightning, registering 54 points over 70 games while averaging nearly 23 minutes of ice time per contest.

The Lightning and Blue Jackets will kick off the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Wednesday's matchup at 7 p.m. ET.