The Lightning's vaunted defense corps has taken a big hit for Game 2 against the Bruins, and possibly beyond.
Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper announced during his pregame media availability that defenseman Ryan McDonagh will not play Tuesday night. McDonagh was injured with 15 minutes left in the third period of Game 1 when he collided with Boston defenseman Connor Clifton.
McDonagh tried to take his next shift, but lasted just 14 seconds before leaving the ice and going down the tunnel.
#GoBolts Ryan McDonagh got tangled up with #NHLBruins Connor Clifton. Headed off. His next shift .. just 14 seconds. https://t.co/nXmReqL7zl pic.twitter.com/xbXM9pnNue
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@TheReplayGuy) August 24, 2020It's a signficant blow, as McDonagh was leading the Lightning in ice time this postseason at 26:07 per game. In Game 1, he saw a lot of the Bruins' top line, so Cooper will have to adjust his strategy for dealing with Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev could both see more of that matchup now.
McDonagh is also the Lightning's top penalty-killing defenseman, so he'll be missed there as well, especially given how hot the Bruins' power play has been.
Cooper did not say who would be coming into the lineup in McDonagh's place. Our best guess would be Braydon Coburn, another left shot and a veteran with ample playoff experience. Luke Schenn could also be an option, though that would force a right shot to move to the left side. Neither Coburn nor Schenn has played in this postseason yet. Jan Rutta would normally be the next man up, but he has also been out injured.
With Game 3 being a back-to-back situation on Wednesday night and McDonagh not even taking part in Tuesday's morning skate, it's safe to assume his status will be in doubt for Game 3 as well.
The Bruins, meanwhile, will roll out the exact same lineup as Game 1, according to coach Bruce Cassidy.
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David PastrnakJake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Ondrej KaseNick Ritchie - Charlie Coyle - Anders BjorkJoakim Nordstrom - Sean Kuraly - Chris Wagner
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoyTorey Krug - Brandon CarloMatt Grzelcyk - Connor Clifton
Jaroslav HalakDan Vladar
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