ERIK CERNAK NEWS

Cirelli scores in OT as Lightning beat Stars for fourth straight win

Anthony Cirelli scored in overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars

OCTOBER 31 • Associated Press

Gets on scoresheet Tuesday Cernak logged an assist, six hits and two PIM in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Predators.

Impact Cernak is rarely a big contributor on offense, and that's held true with him earning two helpers over the Lightning's first 10 games. The 28-year-old continues to be a physical defenseman in a top-four role, racking up 21 hits, 23 blocked shots and eight PIM this season. His playing style can leave him vulnerable to injuries, but the lack of offense -- his career high is 21 points, set in 76 regular-season outings last year -- is what keeps him off the radar in most fantasy formats.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up Thursday Cernak (undisclosed) will play Thursday versus the Senators, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.

Impact Cernak missed some time late in the preseason due to his injury. The 28-year-old is set to serve as a shutdown defenseman on the Lightning's second pairing. His heavy playing style can be useful in deeper fantasy formats, but he is injury prone because of it.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Cernak (undisclosed) is set to miss Saturday's preseason game against Florida, per Lightning radio announcer Dave Mishkin.

Impact Cernak had three goals, 21 points, 50 PIM, 157 hits and 99 blocks across 76 regular-season appearances with Tampa Bay last year. If he's not available for the Lightning's regular-season opener versus Ottawa on Thursday, then that would significantly increase the chances of Max Crozier being in the lineup.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Misses third period Thursday Cernak (undisclosed) did not play in the third period of Thursday's preseason game versus the Panthers, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.

Impact Cernak was in and out of the game a couple of times after taking some knocks. There was no update on his status after the contest, but it's possible the Lightning are just taking the proper precautions to have him healthy for the start of the regular season next Thursday versus the Senators.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Buries goal in loss Cernak scored a goal on three shots, added five hits and blocked three shots in Monday's 4-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 4.

Impact Cernak ended an 11-game point drought with his second-period tally. The 27-year-old blueliner continues to fill a shutdown role on the second pairing, which has earned him a plus-2 rating, 11 shots on net, 13 hits and four blocked shots over four playoff outings. He had a career year with 21 points and a plus-29 rating over 76 regular-season appearances.

APRIL 29 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers erase deficit with 2 goals in 11 seconds, beat Lightning 4-2 to take 3-1 series lead

Aaron Ekblad and Seth Jones scored third-period goals 11 seconds apart and the Florida Panthers stormed from behind to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Monday night to take a 3-...

APRIL 29 • Associated Press

Set to return Cernak (undisclosed) is expected to play Thursday versus Utah.

Impact Cernak left Tuesday's 6-1 win over Pittsburgh due to the injury, but it seems he won't miss a full game. He has three goals, 20 points, 35 PIM and 148 hits across 65 outings in 2024-25.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Cirelli scores twice in his 500th career game as the Lightning defeat the Penguins 6-1

Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1 on Tuesday night

MARCH 26 • Associated Press

Injured in Tuesday's game Cernak (undisclosed) won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Penguins.

Impact Cernak was hurt in the first period, though he was able to pick up an assist prior to his exit. He also had two hits and two blocked shots. The Lightning dressed seven defensemen Tuesday, so if Cernak misses any time, Darren Raddysh and Nick Perbix will be able to stay in the lineup and forward Mitchell Chaffee would probably check back in for Thursday's game against Utah.

MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up assist in shootout loss Cernak notched an assist and two blocked shots in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Flyers.

Impact Cernak set up a Zemgus Girgensons tally in the second period. The helper was Cernak's second over seven contests this month, following a February in which he had three goals and three assists over eight outings. The 27-year-old isn't going to turn into a big scoring threat from the blue line overnight, but he appears to be tapping into offense a bit more in the second half of the campaign. He's matched his career high of 18 points as well as setting a new personal best with 15 assists through 59 outings. Cernak also has 53 shots on net, 129 hits, 87 blocked shots and a plus-24 rating this season.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Provides breathing room with goal Cernak scored a goal, added two hits and blocked two shots in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Flames.

Impact Cernak had a somewhat surprising February with three goals and three assists over eight games. That makes it his most productive month of the campaign despite the limited number of contests. Overall, Cernak is at three goals, 13 assists, 47 shots on net, 117 hits, 72 blocked shots and a plus-25 rating through 52 appearances. He's two points away from matching his career-high 18 from the 2020-21 campaign, which came in a 46-game sample. Fantasy managers shouldn't roster Cernak for scoring potential -- it's his physicality and defense that appeal to those in deeper formats, though his playing style also comes with a high risk of injuries.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Andrei Vasilevskiy makes 27 saves in the Lightning's 3-0 victory over the Flames

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and the 38th of his career in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3-0 victory over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night

FEBRUARY 28 • Associated Press

Ties career mark with three points Cernak scored a goal and added two assists in a 6-3 win over the Red Wings on Saturday.

Impact Cernak waffled a shot from the point at 2:56 of the first that forced Alex Lyon from the game -- the goalie had allowed two goals on just three shots. The three points tied his NHL career high. "You don't see a lot of offense from me, so that was exciting," said Cernak after the game. "I just try to get the puck to our forwards and let them make magic." The 27-year-old stay-at-home defender has just two goals and 15 points in 48 games this season. Both goals and three assists have come in Cernak's last four games. It's a nice run, but it's not sustainable enough to make him valuable in fantasy arenas.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Brandon Hagel shines as the Lightning cool off the Red Wings with a 6-3 victory

Brandon Hagel had two goals and two assists, and the Tampa Bay Lightning snapped Detroit’s seven-game win streak with a 6-3 victory over the Red Wings

FEBRUARY 8 • Associated Press

Fills empty cage Thursday Cernak scored an empty-net goal on two shots, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Senators.

Impact Cernak netted his first goal of the season to end any threat of a Senators comeback. It was also the 100th point of his career, a milestone he reached in his 412th contest. He has two points over his last three contests, but the 27-year-old defenseman rarely puts up consistent offense. He's at 12 points, 41 shots on net, 100 hits, 64 blocked shots, 29 PIM and a plus-15 rating through 47 appearances.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE