Victor Hedman exits game versus Flyers with injury

The Tampa Bay Lightning were dealt a significant blow early in their round robin contest against Philadelphia Saturday night when Norris Trophy finalist Victor Hedman was injured in the first period and unable to return.

Hedman appeared to get his skates tangled up switching from forward to backward skating trying to deal with Tyler Pitlick charging hard down the right wing. Hedman need a couple seconds to rise to his feet but was able to complete his shift. He remained on the bench for a few minutes but eventually limped down the tunnel to the locker room, smashing his stick against the arena railing and breaking it in frustration along the way.

Hedman did not emerge from the locker room for the second period, and moments later it was announced he would not return for the duration of the contest.

Hedman was selected as a finalist for the Norris Trophy for the fourth-straight year in 2019-20 after collecting 11 goals, 44 assists and 55 points in 66 regular season games. The Swedish defenseman is the first NHL blueliner to be a Norris finalist four years in a row since his countryman Nicklas Lidstrom did it with the Detroit Red Wings from 2005-06 to 2008-09.

Hedman is the only Tampa Bay defenseman ever to win a Norris Trophy (2017).