The injury bug is causing havoc for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Not only did the team lose Ben Bishop to injury in Game 1, Tyler Johnson was injured at the end of the first period.
Johnson was chasing a puck and had Chris Kunitz on his back. Johnson moved the puck and turned to face Kunitz as he took the hit. On the replay, though it’s a clean hit, there appears to be contact on Johnson’s right knee. He went down and wasn’t able to put any weight on that leg.
He had to be helped off the ice.
Through 10 games, Johnson leads the Lightning with 13 points (4-9-13).
If Johnson is out of the lineup, it could be a devastating blow to a team that has thus far been able to battle through a lot of injuries. Adding Johnson and Bishop to an injury list that includes Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman would be a major blow as the Lightning face their first big test of the postseason. They have been good, but they’ve had one of the easier paths to the Eastern Conference Final.
Inside Friday’s game, it puts the team in a difficult situation as well. They only dressed 11 forwards for the game.
UPATE:
Johnson returned to the game during the second period.
Johnny’s back. #PITvsTBL
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) May 14, 2016