Victor Hedman Doubtful for Lightning vs Canadiens as Trade Rumors Swirl Around Hellebuyck and Henrique

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman remains unlikely to return for the Eastern Conference First Round series against the Montreal Canadiens, according to head coach Jon Cooper.

Cooper stated that Hedman’s return is “on the doubtful side for this series” during a press conference on Tuesday, April 22, 2026, following the Lightning’s 3-2 overtime win against the Canadiens in Game 2 of their playoff series. The defenseman has not played since leaving during the first period of a 6-2 win at the Vancouver Canucks on March 19 due to an illness, missing the Lightning’s final 15 regular-season games.

On March 25, the Lightning announced Hedman was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. The 35-year-old defenseman had recorded 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) in 33 games this season before his absence. Hedman had previously dealt with multiple injuries earlier in the season, including an undisclosed issue on November 8 that sidelined him for 12 games, and later underwent a procedure on his elbow in December that was expected to keep him out until February.

Despite being around the team and participating in optional morning skates, including one ahead of Game 2, Hedman has not received clearance for game action. Cooper emphasized that while he would not rule anything out entirely, the likelihood of Hedman playing in the current series remains low.

“I wouldn’t rule anything out,” Cooper said, “but I’d say I’d put that on the doubtful side for this series.” The Lightning entered the playoffs looking to advance past the first round for the first time in four seasons, and currently trail the best-of-7 series 1-1 after splitting the first two games.

The absence of Hedman, who serves as the team’s captain and top defenseman, has placed additional pressure on the Lightning’s blue line. Players such as Ryan McDonagh and Darren Raddysh have been forced to log increased minutes, which could impact their performance as the series progresses. The situation was further complicated when Charles-Edouard D’Astous exited Game 1 after a hit, leaving the defensive unit even thinner.

In Game 1, the Lightning fell 4-3 in overtime to the Canadiens, with Juraj Slafkovsky scoring a hat trick, including the game-winning goal. Montreal capitalized on Tampa Bay’s penalty kill, scoring three times on the power play. Without Hedman’s presence, the Lightning struggled to organize defensively during critical moments.

The Canadiens entered the playoffs with renewed confidence, according to analysts, and Hedman’s continued absence presents a significant opportunity for Montreal to gain control of the series. As of Game 2, the Lightning had managed to tie the series, but the long-term availability of their captain remains uncertain beyond the first round.