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TORONTO — Lightning coach Guy Boucher has talked about how this year has been marked with "tons of injuries, one after another."
And the latest injury, to wing Ryan Malone, came in an odd way.
Malone missed Tuesday's game against the Maple Leafs and is day to day after suffering an undisclosed lower body injury in a collision with C Nate Thompson in Monday's practice. Malone was on the ice for Tuesday's optional morning skate, but came off early, and did not speak with reporters. The injury was a bit of a surprise to many, including Boucher, with the collision appearing innocent and happening in a non-contact drill.
"It was one of the last drills," Thompson said. "Perfect timing."
It's bad timing for a team missing D Victor Hedman (concussion) indefinitely; he's not on this three-game road trip. And D Mattias Ohlund (knees) hasn't played all season. Missing Malone is big, considering his size (6 feet 4, 224 pounds), and because he plays a key role in front of the net on the power play. Rookie J.T. Wyman got power-play time in Malone's absence.
"Happy New Year! It's been that way since Day 1 this year, so we are not going to cry about it," Boucher said of injuries. "We are going to move forward and continue to find ways like we've been doing."
Thompson, who missed five games with a lower body injury, was excited to return.
"It's great seeing the team win and doing well, but at the same time, you want to be part of it and want to help out," Thompson said. "It's always tough to watch, it's one thing to watch games and see from another angle. But after a few games, you get kind of sick of it and want to play."
WAITING GAME: Ohlund said he's not close to getting back on the ice, much less the lineup.
Ohlund has continued to rehab, but hasn't skated since November as he recovers from surgery on both of his knees to remove loose bodies. He acknowledges that a lot if it is pain tolerance, as there's nothing more surgically that can be done.
"It is obviously going slower than everybody was hoping, but it is what it is," Ohlund said Monday. "We are still trying to figure something out about the rehab and find the right solution."
STEPPING IN: G Mathieu Garon continues to get the most work, starting seven consecutive games and appearing in 27 of the team's 38. Garon, who entered the year the backup for No. 1 Dwayne Roloson, has played more than initially anticipated, Boucher admits, but Roloson got a chance Tuesday night.
When Garon was pulled 13:43 into the second, Roloson got his first action since Dec. 21. Roloson allowed three goals in 21 shots, and could start Thursday.
"He's been battling hard, and has had great practices," Boucher said. "He'll get in soon and I'm sure he'll be back on track."
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.
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