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Worst hat trick ever: Tampa Bay Lightning lose three centers in one game

By Cara Bahniuk (@carabahniuk) on March 10, 2017 | 0 Comment

With a month left in the season, the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals could potentially face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs. The Bolts currently sit four points out of the second wild card spot, but were dealt a big blow on Thursday.

Tampa Bay lost three of their centers, Vladislav Namestnikov, Tyler Johnson, and Cedric Paquette, to lower-body injuries during their game against the Minnesota Wild.

Vladislav Namestnikov injury

The Lightning lost Vladislav Namestnikov first early in the second period. After Namestnikov collided with Zach Parise, the two players became entangled and slammed awkwardly into the boards. Namestnikov was helped off the ice and did not return to the game.

Tyler Johnson injury

Approximately four minutes later, Tyler Johnson was forechecking and absorbed a brutal knee-on-knee hit by Nino Niederreiter. Johnson was also helped off the ice and did not return to the game.

Cedric Paquette injury

Cedric Paquette completed the Lightning’s hat trick of injuries 11:22 into the third. After a swarm in front of the net, Paquette german-suplexed Nino Niederreiter. As he fell to the ice, Paquette’s left leg buckled and turned the wrong way. Paquette did not return to the game.

None of the three centers participated in the Lightning’s practice Friday. The Tampa Bay Times’ Joe Smith reported that all three players were out day-to-day with lower-body injuries.

The Lightning are already without their best player, Steven Stamkos, who has not played a game since November 15th. Stamkos tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee. Doctors said Stamkos would be out four to six months. GM Steve Yzerman was recently quoted saying there is a possibility Stamkos could return this season.

The Capitals’ potential first-round opponent for the playoffs changes almost daily. As of the time of publishing, the Capitals would match up again with the New York Islanders, but they could also match-up with Toronto, Philadelphia, or the aforementioned Lightning.

The Capitals have not won in either of the two playoff series they’ve been matched up with Tampa.

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