The Tampa Bay Lightning are about to get a major boost - and just in time for one of the marquee matchups of the NHL season. All signs point to Victor Hedman making his long-awaited return to the lineup for Sunday’s Stadium Series showdown against the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium.
Hedman, the Lightning’s captain and cornerstone on the blue line, has been sidelined since early December after suffering an elbow injury during a 6-1 win over the Canadiens. He underwent a procedure shortly after and has been grinding through rehab ever since. But this game - an outdoor clash under the lights in Tampa - has been circled on his calendar for weeks.
“Playing in this game has been a big motivation in me coming back,” Hedman said after Saturday’s skate. “It’s up to Coop and the trainers, but I felt good out there. All the signs are positive.”
The captain’s return isn’t just symbolic - it’s strategic. The Lightning have been rolling without him, going 17-3-2 over the past six weeks and climbing to the top of the Eastern Conference. That kind of run speaks volumes about the depth and resilience of this roster, but getting Hedman back adds another dimension - leadership, experience, and 25-minute-a-night stability.
“I can’t say how proud I am of the guys,” Hedman added. “They have a great thing going here, and I’m looking forward very much to being part of it if things work out.”
After Saturday’s practice, Hedman earned some well-deserved stick taps from his teammates - a subtle but unmistakable sign that the captain is back. Head coach Jon Cooper didn’t make it official right away, but he all but confirmed the return.
“Barring him coming in saying no, which I think is extremely doubtful, most likely [he’ll play],” Cooper said with a knowing smile.
Even before the injury, Hedman was off to a strong start this season, logging 12 assists in 18 games. His return couldn’t come at a better time, with Tampa Bay set to face a surging Bruins team that’s won eight of its last ten. Two of the East’s top contenders, both eyeing momentum heading into the Olympic break - it’s the kind of matchup that feels like a playoff preview.
And make no mistake, Hedman’s presence means more than just numbers on a stat sheet. He’s the emotional engine of this team.
“Victor is our big captain,” said goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who’s been in top form since mid-December. “He brings a lot of energy to our team.”
“He’s our emotional leader,” added forward Jake Guentzel. “He’s our captain for a reason. He plays a lot of minutes and does a lot of things for our team.”
After Sunday’s outdoor spectacle - the NHL’s 47th outdoor game, and the first played at the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - the Lightning will have two more games before the Olympic break: a home tilt against the Sabres on Tuesday, followed by a rivalry clash with the Panthers on Thursday.
Then it’s off to Milan, where Hedman will suit up for Team Sweden. Their first game comes on Feb. 11 against host nation Italy.
But before the international stage, there’s one more spotlight to step into - and Hedman looks ready to skate right back into it. Puck drops just after 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday night, and if all goes according to plan, the Lightning will have their captain leading them into battle once again.