Despite his efforts to return to the game, it seemed that Hedman simply couldn't do it due to the severity of his injury. This would be a big loss for the team, as well as for goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who would lose his best defenseman.
This is a situation to closely monitor as it could make a huge difference in this first-round series. Hedman, who is 32 years old, accumulated 85 points last season and 49 points this season, with a combined +36 differential, making him one of the three most important players for the Lightning.
In addition, defenseman Erik Cernak, who plays a lot for Tampa Bay, also appears to be injured, as well as forward Mikey Eyssimont, who left the game.