Lightning get major Victor Hedman injury update for playing status vs. Maple Leafs

Lightning get major Victor Hedman injury update for playing status vs. Maple Leafs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tampa Bay Lightning could only watch from afar.

Their superstar defenseman, Victor Hedman, was in Milan playing in the Winter Olympics for Sweden. And in the quarterfinal round, Hedman never came off the bench for a single shift. Turns out, he had been injured in warmups.

That opened up all sorts of concern, but as it turns out, there was nothing to worry about.

Assistant coach Rob Zettler told reporters that Hedman is good to go for Wednesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs as the NHL returns from Olympic break.

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The Lightning captain had missed nearly two months earlier this season due to elbow surgery.

He played in Tampa Bay's last three games before the Olympics, then suited up in the three preliminary games for Sweden before that unexpected absence against Team USA.

Hedman has played in 21 games this season for Tampa Bay, and he has 13 points, all assists.

The Lightning got much more good injury news from Zettler in that media appearance. He added that Brayden Point, Charle-Eduouard D'Astous and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg are all ready to play against Toronto, as well.

Point had to miss the Olympics after being chosen for Team Canada due to a knee injury, but evidently he has recovered now.

Lilleberg and D'Astous were both on Injured Reserve heading into the Olympic break but apparently are also good to go.

The Lightning play Toronto on Wednesday and Carolina on Thursday, so it's good timing to return toward full strength.

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