While the Tampa Bay Lightning are up 2-0 in their opening round playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings, they’ll be proceeding without the services of winger J.T. Brown.
He was injured in Game 2 and left the game. Now, Brown has been ruled out indefinitely, the team announced Saturday. The minimum time frame he’ll be out is the entirety of the first round.
The 25-year-old forward was injured blocking a shot in Game 2.
He’s been a key player for the team late in the year, skating on a line with Ryan Callahan and Cedric Paquette. He’s been a grinding presence who has been able to push play in the right direction more often than not.
The Lightning have managed to control the series well in the opening two games at Amalie Arena, but injuries are taking their toll. They were already playing without star forward Steven Stamkos and stalwart defenseman Anton Stralman. Losing Brown is a big blow to their depth.
Despite averaging just 13:22 of ice time per game, he was second among all forwards in blocked shots on a team that doesn’t block shots very well. He also led the team in penalty minutes with 59.
