EDMONTON — Captain Steven Stamkos made one thing clear: The Lightning can't replace Victor Hedman.
But Tampa Bay will have to try. It will be without its top defenseman for the remaining four games of this trip, and potentially the next month, after Hedman suffered a hand injury in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Canucks. Hedman is back in Tampa getting evaluated. The team on Sunday expected to know more on his status today.
But as the Lightning faces the Oilers tonight at Rexall Place, its defensemen will have expanded roles as they try to make up for the loss of the 6-foot-6 Swede.
"I've got complete confidence we'll be able to shoulder the load," coach Jon Cooper said.
What stings the most is that Hedman, 23, was playing some of the best hockey of his career, racking up seven points in his first four games. A force at both ends of the ice, Hedman ran the point on the first power-play unit and, with Anton Stralman, faced opponents' top lines.
"He did everything," Stralman said.
It's deja vu to Tampa Bay, which lost Stamkos in November last season for 45 games due to a broken leg.
"Unfortunately, we're losing a big part of our d-core, but if there's a team that's weathered a storm like this before, it was our guys last year when 'Stammer' went down," Cooper said. "So I think they're probably a bit mentally equipped for it. But it's just an unfortunate situation."
The Lightning also feels more equipped personnel-wise, having bolstered its defensive depth in the offseason by acquiring veterans Stralman and Jason Garrison. Stralman will have to adjust to a new partner in fellow veteran Matt Carle. Stralman will also take over the point on the first power-play unit, giving opponents another look as a right-handed shot.
"We have to stick together as a team," Stralman said. "Someone else has to take a little bit more responsibility. We have some veteran guys on this team. We're going to figure it out."
Garrison was paired with Andrej Sustr in practice Sunday. With Radko Gudas (lower body) not certain to play tonight or Tuesday against the Flames, it opens up an opportunity for Mark Barberio, who was scratched the first five games. Luke Witkowski was called up from AHL Syracuse on Sunday but will likely be a reserve.
"You've got to pick up the slack," Cooper said. "Not one guy is going to do it. It's going to be a collective group effort."
Contact Joe Smith at joesmith@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_JSmith.
Late Saturday
Lightning | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Canucks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
First Period—1, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 4 (Palat), :53. 2, Vancouver, Higgins 1 (Bonino, Edler), 7:15. 3, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 5 (Callahan, Palat), 8:26. Penalties—Dorsett, Van (tripping), 2:44; Boyle, TB (unsportsmanlike conduct), 9:00; Kassian, Van (unsportsmanlike conduct), 9:00; Brewer, TB (delay of game), 11:53; Weber, Van (holding), 16:47.
Second Period—4, Vancouver, Edler 1 (D.Sedin, Bieksa), 2:42 (pp). 5, Tampa Bay, Callahan 3 (Stamkos, Garrison), 16:48 (pp). Penalties—Hamhuis, Van (tripping), :38; Palat, TB (hooking), 1:20; Tampa Bay bench, served by Killorn (too many men), 5:07; Brewer, TB (elbowing), 10:41; Carle, TB, served by Connolly, double minor (high-sticking), 13:25; Kassian, Van (holding), 13:25; Burrows, Van (roughing), 14:46; Bieksa, Van (tripping), 15:02.
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Explore all your optionsThird Period—6, Tampa Bay, Killorn 2 (Johnson, Stralman), 6:04. Penalties—Connolly, TB (holding), 6:43. Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 6-12-6—24. Vancouver 6-14-12—32. Power-play opportunities—Tampa Bay 1 of 5; Vancouver 1 of 6. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Bishop 3-0-1 (32 shots-30 saves). Vancouver, Lack 0-1-0 (24-20).