Victor Hedman to miss Canadiens game Saturday

Published Nov. 6, 2009 4:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

MONTREAL (AP) -- Tampa
Bay Lightning rookie Victor Hedman will not be in the lineup for
Saturday's game against the Montreal Canadiens following a body check
that left him flattened on the ice.

Hedman
says he feels OK but will skip the game as a precaution. The defenseman
watched his teammates practice Friday and says he does not want to risk
anything this early in the season. He adds that his status is day to
day.

Hedman was rocked by a hit from
Ottawa's Chris Neil during the Senators 3-2' overtime win Thursday
night. Neil took a long run and smashed into Hedman. The 18-year-old
player was helped off ice and did not return to the game.

Hedman says it was a clean hit and he must learn to keep his head up.