Lightning Announce Victor Hedman News Before Game 6 vs. Canadiens
The Tampa Bay Lightning enter Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens facing elimination for the first time this postseason after putting together a 50-26-6 regular season.
This first-round series has tested the Lightning's depth on the blue line, as they have not been able to rely on their captain, Victor Hedman, for any of the games played through Thursday.
Ahead of the must-win Game 6, the Lightning provided a new update on Hedman, who has already missed 19 games since he left the team for personal reasons in late March.
Hedman finished the season with 17 points in 33 games this season while averaging 18:52 of ice time, and Tampa Bay has felt his absence during the first round, going down 3-2 to the Canadiens and allowing 2.8 goals per game.
According to head coach Jon Cooper, per TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Hedman will not play in Game 6, but he is nearing a return and could rejoin the lineup if Tampa Bay extends the series or advances to the second round.
"He's going to be an option really soon," Cooper said.
Cooper did not confirm whether Hedman would be available for a potential Game 7, leaving his timeline uncertain despite the supposed progress.
The 35-year-old has remained with the team and is participating in practices, including light on-ice work in recent weeks.
Jon Cooper on Victor Hedman: "He's going to be an option really soon."
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 1, 2026
But Cooper says Hedman will not play tonight.
With Hedman out, depth players like J.J. Moser and Darren Raddysh are taking on larger responsibilities for Tampa Bay on defense.
Tampa Bay and Montreal face each other with a chance to either force Game 7 or punch a ticket to the second round, respectively, at 7 p.m. ET on Friday.
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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 12:29 PM.