For the second time in the last three games, the Tampa Bay Lightning watched a forward exit in the second period of their contest. This time it was Zemgus Girgensons who sustained an undisclosed injury during Saturday night’s overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth.
The injury update was captured by NHL.com’s Benjamin Pierce. It was not clear when Girgensons sustained his injury, or what it could be.
Tampa Bay will need to shift around their bottom-six if Girgensons is forced to miss time. The 13-year pro has stepped up as a do-it-all forward on the Lightning fourth-line, with two points, seven shot blocks, and a team-leading 27 hits in nine games this season.
This continues his bruising, utility role from last season, when Girgensons recorded a career-high 195 hits in 74 games.
Extra forward Scott Sabourin would best match Girgensons’ heavy-hitting presence. While Girgensons led the 2025-26 roster in total hits, Sabourin led the team in hits-per-game – racking up 63 hits in just 26 appearances.
He also scored five points last season. Should Tampa Bay prefer an offensive jolt, they could also call upon the speedy Dominic James, who has one point in two appearances this season.