The already banged-up Lightning defense was just given another blow, as the team announced defenseman Victor Hedman is out for the rest of tonight's game with an undisclosed upper body injury.

Hedman, 20, one of Tampa Bay's top defenseman, has been among the team leaders in minutes, and is also a key cog on the penalty kill. He signed a five-year contract extension earlier this season.

Tampa Bay's defense is already without D Matt Gilroy, who missed his fourth straight game with a lower body injury. Veteran Mattias Ohlund hasn't played at all this year after having surgery on both knees.

It's unclear when Hedman suffered the injury, but  he played just 4 minutes, 11 seconds in the first period.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com