Hedman in lineup for Game 1 vs. Blue Jackets
Mark Blinch / National Hockey League / Getty
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman is in the lineup for Tuesday's series opener versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The star blue-liner fell awkwardly in the first period of the Bolts' final round-robin game Friday and was unable to return with an undisclosed injury.
Hedman is a vital piece in the Lightning's Stanley Cup aspirations, and the club could ill-afford for him to be out of the lineup with captain Steven Stamkos also sidelined with an injury for the foreseeable future.
Hedman is a Norris Trophy finalist for the fourth consecutive season after collecting 55 points in 66 games while averaging over 24 minutes per night.