"Strong Indication" That Big Deadline Add Will Make Lightning Playoff Debut

While the health of the Tampa Bay Lightning backline is still in question (Victor Hedman a game-time decision), one forward they do expect to insert into the lineup for Game Two tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs will be Tanner Jeannot. 

Jon Cooper say there is a strong indication that Tanner Jeannot “will hopefully be in tonight.” @BodogCA @RinkWideTOR

— David Alter (@dalter) April 20, 2023

Head coach Jon Cooper says there is "strong indication" that Jeannot “will hopefully be in tonight.” He'll add another physical dimension to this series. 

Just yesterday, the bruising winger himself said he was feeling "really good."

Jeannot on his recovery: “Feeling really good … just got to wait and see I guess. Feeling good on the ice.”#TBLvsTOR pic.twitter.com/agMR1o254l

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 19, 2023

Jeannot went down with what appeared to be a serious leg injury just two weeks ago, deemed by Cooper at the time as "worrisome." But now he'll likely be adding his toughness to this series for Game Two from his bottom-six slot. 

The 25-year-old finished 6th in the NHL in hits laid out this season with 290. He had 77 of those in his 20-game cameo with the Bolts after being acquired at the trade deadline from the Nashville Predators. And those numbers are despite averaging just 12 minutes TOI per night.

Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports