Ice Chips: Lightning D Hedman ‘doubtful’ to play in first round vs. Canadiens

Keep updated on all the injury news and roster updates from around the NHL with daily Ice Chips.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Defenceman Victor Hedman is taking part in Tampa Bay’s optional skate this morning ahead of Game 2 tonight against the Montreal Canadiens but head coach Jon Cooper says Hedman returning is on “the doubtful side for this series.”

Hedman, who hasn’t played since March 19 due to personal reasons, also skated on Sunday before Game 1.

The 35-year-old has missed large chunks of time this season due to injury. He missed a month with an undisclosed injury earlier in the season and then had elbow surgery in December that kept him out until February.

He had one goal and 17 points in 33 regular-season games.

Cooper also confirmed Tuesday morning that Declan Carlile will draw in for Charle-Edouard D’Astous, who was injured in Game 1.

D’Astous got hurt in the second period of Game 1 after he took two big hits from Jake Evans and Josh Anderson behind his own net. He got sandwiched and remained down on the ice for a bit before he was able to skate off under his own power.

Forward Scott Sabourin will also draw into the lineup tonight.

Sabourin skated in 26 regular-season games for the Lightning, scoring one goal with four assists and 89 penalty minutes.

The Canadiens jumped out to 1-0 series lead after a 4-3 overtime on Sunday, led by Juraj Slafkovsky recording a hat trick that was capped by him scoring the game-winning goal.

Buffalo Sabres

Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to get a second straight start in goal tonight in Game 2 against the Boston Bruins.

In their first playoff game since 2011, Buffalo erased a 2-0 deficit by scoring four times in the final eight minutes of the game to take the game 4-3.

Luukkonen, 27, stopped 17 of 20 shots he faced on Sunday.

Ottawa Senators

The Senators have signed goaltender Lucas Beckman to a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday.

Beckman, 18, is currently in the midst of the QMJHL playoffs with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. In eight playoff appearances, he is undefeated with a .962 save percentage and 0.75 goals-against with two shutouts.

He split the 2025-25 regular season between the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Chicoutimi.

Beckman was drafted in the fourth round (97th overall) by the Senators in 2025.