Lightning star rookie Mikhail Sergachev made healthy scratch vs. Preds

Mikhail-Sergachev

Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Mikhail Sergachev. (Chris Lee/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Mikhail Sergachev has been in the Calder Memorial Trophy conversation for most the season but the Tampa Bay Lightning star rookie has struggled lately. For this reason, head coach Jon Cooper made him healthy scratch Tuesday night for a road game against the Nashville Predators.

Lightning beat reporter Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times was first to report the lineup change.

Sergachev leads all rookie blueliners with eight goals and is tied for the lead in points with Will Butcher of the New Jersey Devils with 27 in 47 games played. However, the ninth-overall pick from the 2016 NHL Draft has been in a drought since mid-December with just four assists and no goals in his past 15 games.

Forward Cory Conacher was also scratched Tuesday. Sergachev, Conacher and defenceman Slater Koekkoek were the only Lightning skaters to participate in their team’s optional skate Tuesday morning.

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