Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper says defenceman Mikhail Sergachev is improving, but he does not expect him to return in time for the first round of the playoffs, according to team writer Chris Krenn.
"My gut says this series would be out of reach for him," Cooper said. "If we were fortunate enough to win this series, then we'd start having that discussion."
Sergachev has not played since having surgery after breaking his left tibia and fibula in a game on Feb. 7 against the New York Rangers. That game marked his return from a 17-game absence for a previous leg injury.
The 25-year-old rearguard had two goals and 17 assists in 34 goals before having surgery. The Lightning open their first-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT, which can be seen on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
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