Victor Hedman Returns with a Statement as Lightning Dominate Panthers 6-1
The Battle of Florida didn’t just belong to the Tampa Bay Lightning-it belonged to Victor Hedman. After missing nearly two months recovering from elbow surgery, the veteran defenseman returned to the lineup and immediately reminded everyone why he’s still one of the most dependable blue-liners in the league. Tampa Bay’s 6-1 dismantling of the Florida Panthers wasn’t just a rivalry win-it was a powerful reintroduction for their 35-year-old leader.
Hedman Sets the Tone Early
It didn’t take long for Hedman to make his presence felt. Just over two minutes into the first period, he set up Brandon Hagel for the opening goal, getting the Lightning on the board and setting the tone for what would become a one-sided affair.
For a player coming off surgery, Hedman looked anything but tentative. His skating was fluid, his reads were sharp, and the physicality was still there.
Coach Jon Cooper wasted no time easing him back in-Hedman logged 25 shifts in just under 18 minutes of ice time (17:52 to be exact). And every time he hit the ice, he looked like the same player who’s anchored this blue line for over a decade.
A Veteran Presence That Matters
After the game, Hedman spoke with the kind of perspective you only get from years in the league-and from watching your team battle through adversity from the sidelines.
"You can guess how it feels in this room confidence-wise," Hedman said. "Guys are coming back from injuries, we lose guys to injuries, we pick up each other and it's next-man-up mentality. It's been impressive to watch."
That mentality has been a defining trait of this Lightning team under Cooper. Even with key players rotating in and out of the lineup, Tampa Bay has remained competitive in a stacked Eastern Conference. Hedman’s return only strengthens a group that’s already shown it can weather the storm.
A Long Road Back
Hedman’s absence since December was a significant blow. Undergoing elbow surgery meant missing critical time during the heart of the season-not just physically, but emotionally, too. For a player who wears the “A” and has long been a cornerstone of this franchise, watching from the press box was far from easy.
But now, with his return, the Lightning get more than just a top-pair defenseman back-they get their tone-setter, their leader, and a player who still has plenty left in the tank.
What’s Next
Hedman’s timing couldn’t be better. With the Milano Cortina Olympics on the horizon, he’ll bring this momentum to Team Sweden, where he’s expected to play a major role. And when the NHL schedule resumes later this month with a matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 25, Tampa Bay will be looking to build on the confidence and cohesion that was on full display in this blowout win.
If this game was any indication, Victor Hedman is back-and the Lightning just got a whole lot more dangerous.