Hedman exits early in Game 1 against Maple Leafs

Star defenseman Victor Hedman exited the Tampa Bay Lightning's opening game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday with an undisclosed issue.

Hedman played 6:35 in the first period but was late to join the bench to begin the second frame. He went back to the locker room without playing a shift and didn't return to the contest.

Defenseman Erik Cernak and forward Mikey Eyssimont also exited the game early for the Lightning due to apparent injuries. Cernak was injured on an illegal check to the head from Michael Bunting, while Eyssimont left after a collision with Jake McCabe.

Following the game, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper did not have any update on the status of Hedman, Cernak, or Eyssimont.

Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.