Victor Hedman is set to make his return to the ice as the Tampa Bay Lightning gear up to face the Toronto Maple Leafs at Benchmark International Arena. After being sidelined with a lower-body injury during Sweden’s quarterfinal matchup against the United States, Hedman watched from the bench as his team fell 2-1 in overtime. Back in action, Hedman fully participated in practice with the Lightning on Tuesday, marking his first session since coming back from Milan.
Reflecting on his decision to sit out the crucial game, Hedman shared, “I wasn’t at my best. Playing for your country is bigger than just you.
Sometimes you have to be unselfish, and I knew sitting out was best for the team. I couldn’t perform at my level.”
Having waited 17 years to compete in the Winter Games, Hedman had hoped for another shot on the ice if Sweden advanced. “Staying on the bench was the right call, hoping for a chance in the next game,” he added. “The team gave everything they had, and that’s all you can ask for.”
With the Olympics behind him, Hedman’s focus returns to Tampa Bay’s grueling schedule. The Lightning are set to tackle 27 games in the next 50 days, with 19 of those before March wraps up. They’re coming off a hot streak, leading the Atlantic Division with a 19-1-1 record over their last 21 contests.
“Now it’s all about this,” Hedman stated. “With 27 games in 50 days, there’s no time to waste.
We need to be ready right from the start, especially against a divisional opponent. It’s going to be exciting.”
Joining Hedman back on the ice were fellow Lightning Olympians J.J. Moser, Pontus Holmberg, Zemgus Girgensons, and Oliver Bjorkstrand, whose teams didn’t make it to the semifinals.
Brandon Hagel, Erik Cernak, and Jake Guentzel are also expected to be in the lineup Wednesday. Guentzel opted to return to Tampa on Monday instead of joining Team USA in Washington, D.C. for the State of the Union address, choosing instead to rest and prepare for the upcoming game and the remainder of the regular season.