Decisions will have to be made when healthy players return

Oct 13, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) tries to play the puck while heÕs down during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn ImagesThe Tampa Bay Lightning have ascended to the top of the Eastern Conference on the back of a solid offense and a surprisingly competent defense considering it’s comprised of three players that, if the season had played out as expected, would have been freezing in Syracuse instead of enjoying the sun and fun of Florida. Charle-Edouard D’Astous (19:07), Declan Carlile (14:09), and Max Crozier (15:30) are logging big minutes due to the injuries suffered earlier in the season by some blueline staples.

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