Jason Garrison out versus Kings with lower-body injury

[HockeyLady]

Here's the link, check it out: http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=752172

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Bolts' defensive depth will be tested down the stretch.

No Garrison, no Gudas, no Carle (although most know I am not a big Carle fan and his absence, IMO, is not nearly as impactful) means more ice time for unproven defensemen or guys with limited NHL experience.

 

Mark Barberio, Andrej Sustr, now is your time to show you can step up.

Those two guys got 1 year 'show me' contracts at the start of this season, with RFA status coming at the end of it.

 

They have done pretty well (especially Sustr), but without Jason Garrison, they need to show even more.

All the while Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman will have to be the rock solid foundation on which the overall defense leans on.

 

Nikita Nesterov, Luke Witkowski will see more ice time as well, and possible call ups from the AHL to see action may be guys like Slater Koekkoek and/or JP Cote.

 

But NONE of those guys have the cannon of a shot and playoff experience that Garrison can bring.

Bolts just  have to suck it up and play on.

 

Hopefully, TB can get Garrison back before too long and all he needs is a bit of rest time to heal.