Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman skated with the scratches at the team’s optional session Sunday morning ahead of Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens.
Head coach Jon Cooper said on Friday that the captain was ‘going to be an option really soon," but did not suit up in the 1-0 overtime win on Friday.
The winner of tonight’s game in Tampa Bay will head to Buffalo for Game 1 against the Atlantic Division-winning Sabres on Wednesday.
Victor Hedman still out here with the scratches at optional skate this morning. Jon Cooper meets media at 430 pm ET ahead of Game 7. pic.twitter.com/hgKSxMUEwL
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 3, 2026
Earlier in the series, Cooper had said Hedman was doubtful to return during the first round.
“At some point, I think, but not right now,” Cooper said earlier in the series. “I wouldn’t rule anything out, but I’d put that on the doubtful side for this series.”
Hedman has been skating after recently rejoining the team following a personal absence, but hasn’t played since March 19.
The 35-year-old Swede — a Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP in 2020 — was limited to 33 games in the regular season, posting one goal and 16 assists after also missing time due to elbow surgery and an undisclosed injury.
