Emil Lilleberg misses Lightning practice before Flyers game

The first sign came at The Bench on Sunday morning. When the Bolts took the ice for practice, Lilleberg's number wasn't in the line rushes.

Eduardo A. Encina

@EddieInTheYard

Back at The Bench for today’s #GoBolts practice. Emil Lilleberg is not on the ice. Goncalves-Point-Kucherov Hagel-Cirelli-Guentzel Mikyehev-Girgensons-Holmberg Viel-Harkins-Geekie James-Gourde (red jersey)-Sabourin Moser-Carlson McDonagh-Cernak Hedman-Crozier D’Astous

Look at the back end of those lines. The pairs were Moser-Carlson, McDonagh-Cernak and Hedman-Crozier, with D'Astous as the 7th man. That's the group Tampa is working with right now, and it tells you the coaching staff is already planning for a lineup that may not include Lilleberg.

As for what actually happened, Lilleberg left Saturday's game early in the 3rd period after only 2 shifts and never came back. The team hasn't named an injury. The only update so far is that he's being evaluated.

Eduardo A. Encina

@EddieInTheYard

Emil Lilleberg will be evaluated further today, #GoBolts say. Should have better idea of his status tomorrow morning. Lilleberg left last night’s game early in the third after just two shifts in the period and didn’t return.

So we're waiting on Monday morning, which is cutting it close with the Flyers coming to Tampa that night. If Lilleberg can't go, D'Astous is the obvious guy to slide in, and that means the Bolts are using their depth on defense a lot earlier in the season than anyone wanted.

Eduardo A. Encina

@EddieInTheYard

The #GoBolts might have to utilize their defensemen depth earlier than anticipated if Emil Lilleberg misses time after leaving Saturday's game and missing Sunday's practice. @TB_Times story: t.co/J13KrWe6pX

If this feels familiar, that's because it is. Lilleberg missed more than 2 months of last season after an injury in mid-December. Then in March he fractured his face at a practice in Minnesota and was ruled out for at least 2 weeks. Before that second injury he had 2 goals, 4 assists, 33 blocked shots and 60 hits in 35 games. That's a physical, stay-at-home role, and when he's out it's hard to replace with a like-for-like player.

Watch Monday's morning skate. If Lilleberg is on the ice in a regular jersey, everyone can relax. If D'Astous is skating in his spot on the 3rd pair, Tampa will have a lineup decision to make against Philly and Lilleberg will be on another injury watch. Given his last 12 months, that's the outcome nobody in Tampa wants.