Next Game
Tue, Mar 19 @ 10:00 pm ET
  • T-Mobile Arena
  • LV -140, O/U 6.5
regional restrictions may apply

Eastern Atlantic Standings

Team W-L-OTL Pts
40-14-15 95
45-19-4 94
38-19-9 85
36-25-6 78
34-28-6 74
33-31-5 71
25-31-11 61
28-34-4 60

2023 Stats

STATS A
Assists
P
Points
+/-
Plus-Minus Goals Scored For or Against Total
TOI/G
Time On Ice Per Game
PM
Penalty Minutes
Regular Season 9 10 1 19:18 61

Top Erik Cernak News

  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Set to play Thursday

    Cernak (lower body) is slated to play against the Rangers on Thursday, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

    Cernak appears to have avoided a serious issue after suffering a lower-body injury against the Flyers on Saturday. The 26-year-old defenseman has just two points in his last 10 contests while garnering just six shots over that span. Outside of hits and blocks, Cernak shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of fantasy value.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Suffers lower-body injury

    Cernak sustained a lower-body injury in Saturday's game versus the Flyers, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

    Per Krenn, head coach Jon Cooper didn't not provide a specific update as to how much concern there is for Cernak's status going forward. The Lightning are off until Thursday's game versus the Rangers, which may give the defenseman time to recover if it's a fairly minor injury. If he has to miss time, Calvin de Haan will likely take Cernak's spot in the lineup.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Good to go Saturday

    Cernak (illness) is warming up ahead of Saturday's game, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports, indicating he will play against the Islanders.

    After missing Thursday's matchup with an illness, Cernak appears ready to go Saturday. The 26-year-old blueliner has eight points (one goal, seven assists) with 128 hits and 74 blocked shots through 46 games this season.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Out due to illness Thursday

    Cernak (illness) won't play Thursday versus the Capitals, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.

    Cernak has been banged up a few times this season, so this is a relatively favorable reason for an absence. He should be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's game versus the Islanders. Calvin de Haan will play in place of Cernak on Thursday.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Pots first goal of season

    Cernak scored his first goal of the season in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout win over the Bruins.

    The 26-year-old blueliner opened the scoring early in the first period, firing a shot from the top of the faceoff circle that trickled through Linus Ullmark's five-hole. Cernak has two points in four games since returning from an upper-body injury, but his main fantasy value comes from his physical play -- he dished a game-high eight hits Tuesday, and on the season Cernak has 110 hits and 69 blocked shots in 43 games.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Set to play Wednesday

    Cernak (upper body) is good to play Wednesday versus the Rangers, according to Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site.

    Cernak, who last played Jan. 11, has five assists, 23 PIM, 90 hits and 63 blocks in 39 outings in 2023-24. He's penciled in to play on the second pairing alongside Mikhail Sergachev, who is returning from a lower-body injury, versus New York. With the Lightning set to get two defensemen back, Calvin de Haan and Haydn Fleury are slated to be healthy scratches Wednesday.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Out next two games

    Cernak (upper body) won't play Thursday against Arizona or Saturday versus New Jersey, but he should be ready to return following the All-Star break, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

    Cernak will set his sights on returning to action Feb. 7 against the Rangers. He's collected just five helpers through 39 contests this campaign, so fantasy managers shouldn't need to keep tabs on Cernak.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Won't play Tuesday

    Cernak (upper body) won't play Tuesday versus Philadelphia.

    Cernak, who remains day-to-day, will miss his fifth straight contest. He has supplied five assists, 31 shots on goal, 63 blocked shots and 90 hits across 39 outings this campaign. Max Crozier will play again versus the Flyers due to Cernak's absence.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Out Sunday

    Cernak (upper body) is not available for Sunday's game against Detroit.

    Cernak has now missed four straight games and it's unclear when the team expects him to return. His next chance to suit up will be Tuesday in Philadelphia.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Out Saturday

    Cernak (upper body) won't play Saturday against the Sabres.

    Cernak will miss a third game after suffering an injury Jan. 11 against New Jersey. Emil Martinsen Lilleberg and Max Crozier will round out Tampa's third pairing. The 26-year-old Cernak has five assists, 90 hits and 63 blocked shots in 39 games this season. It remains to be seen if he will be ready to go Sunday versus Detroit.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Remains out Thursday

    Cernak (upper body) isn't expected to play Thursday versus Minnesota.

    Cernak has five assists, 90 hits and 63 blocks in 39 outings in 2023-24. This will be his second straight game out of the lineup. With Cernak absent, Max Crozier is projected to serve on the third pairing Thursday.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not playing Saturday

    Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that Cernak (upper body) will not play Saturday versus Anaheim.

    Cernak was injured Thursday versus New Jersey. He has five assists, 90 hits and 63 blocked shots in 39 games this season. Philippe Myers will take his spot in the lineup as a third-pairing defenseman.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Deemed day-to-day

    Cernak (upper body) is considered day-to-day, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    At this point, Cernak should probably be considered questionable at best for Saturday's game against Anaheim. Either way, the 26-year-old defender has collected just five helpers through 39 contests this campaign, so fantasy managers shouldn't need to track his availability.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Sustains upper-body injury

    Cernak won't return to Thursday's game against New Jersey because of an upper-body injury.

    Cernak missed three contests from Jan. 2-6 because of an upper-body injury, but it's not clear if his current issue is related. He recorded one hit on 7:58 of ice time before departing Thursday's game. If Cernak can't play Saturday against Anaheim, then Philippe Myers will likely draw into the lineup.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Expected to play

    Cernak (upper body) is expected to return to the lineup for Tuesday's game versus LA, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Cernak should slot into a top-four role against the Kings. He's collected five assists through 37 contests this campaign.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Won't play Saturday

    Cernak (upper body) won't play Saturday against Boston, according to Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com.

    Cernak, who is considered day-to-day, will miss his third straight contest. He has picked up five assists, 30 shots on goal, 61 blocked shots and 84 hits over 37 outings this season. Jack Thompson and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg will make their NHL debuts Saturday due to the absences of Cernak, Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) and Haydn Fleury (hand).

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Out Thursday

    Cernak (upper body) won't return Thursday versus Minnesota

    Cernak also missed Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Winnipeg. He has five assists, 84 hits and 61 blocks in 37 contests this season. Cernak will likely serve in a top-four capacity once he returns, but he shouldn't be counted on to receive power-play ice time.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Deemed day-to-day

    Per Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida, Cernak is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and won't be available for Tuesday's game against Winnipeg.

    With Cernak and Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) both sidelined, the Lightning will either have to ice 13 forwards or play a player short versus the Jets. Another update on Cernak, who's picked up five helpers through 37 contests this season, should surface once he's ready to rejoin the lineup.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Injured in Sunday's game

    Cernak (undisclosed) did not finish Sunday's game versus the Canadiens, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.

    Cernak was leveled on a hit by Josh Anderson in the second period. With Haydn Fleury (undisclosed) also leaving the game and Mikhail Sergachev (lower body) already injured, the Lightning are feeling the pinch on the blue line. It's unclear if Cernak will be available for Tuesday's game in Winnipeg -- the Lightning didn't provide an update after the contest.

    ... See More ... See Less
  • Lightning's Erik Cernak: Hitting and blocking, not scoring

    Cernak has 14 hits and 12 blocked shots in his last four games.

    Cernak isn't a scorer -- his best scoring season came in 2020-21 when he delivered 18 points in 46 games. But that was the season he delivered his lowest hit and block totals (98 and 46, respectively). This season, Cernak has just five assists in 35 games, but he has delivered 79 hits and 59 blocked shots. Any fantasy value he has is restricted to specialty leagues.

    ... See More ... See Less

Player Bio

HT/WT: 6-3, 230 lbs
Birthplace: Kosice, Slovakia
Age: 26
Experience: 5
Shoots: Right