Expert recap and game analysis of the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers NHL game from February 5, 2026 on ESPN.

The Lightning are getting a big piece of their blue line back. The Bolts activated defenseman Erik Cernak from long-term injured reserve, and he’s expected to return Wednesday against the Anaheim ...

The Lightning fell 8–5 to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night, losing veteran defenseman Erik Cernak to injury. Cernak exited after being hit hard into the boards by Columbus forward Mathieu ...

The Tampa Bay Lightning suffered more than one type of loss on Saturday. Tampa Bay fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets by a score of 8-5, and also saw defenseman Erik Cernak leave the game with injury.

It would be Cernak’s first game since Nov. 22, as the right-handed rearguard has been out of action for the past 17 games with a hand injury. The 28-year-old had missed a game due to a lower-body ...

Cernak (hand) was activated off long-term injured reserve and is expected to play Wednesday versus Anaheim, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. Cernak hasn't been in the lineup since Nov. 22 ...

Cernak (upper body) won't return to Saturday's game versus the Blue Jackets, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports. Cernak was hit hard by Mathieu Olivier in the first period. The ...

A veteran rearguard is set to return to the lineup. On Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Lightning activated defenseman Erik Cernak from long-term injured reserve. According to Lightning Insider Erik ...