Top Lightning Defenseman Erik Cernak May Face Suspension After Vicious Head Shot on Lucas Raymond

As the regular season comes to a close, few teams across the league are still playing meaningful games.

Most playoff matchups have already been set, or are virtually guaranteed, but that is not the case for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Lightning sit just three points back of the Toronto Maple Leafs with four games left on the schedule including their game against the Red Wings today.

As such, the team still has a realistic chance of winning the Atlantic Division title, which would change their first-round matchup.

The game is arguably even more important for the Red Wings who will be eliminated from playoff contention altogether unless they get the two points.

Detroit could still be eliminated tonight even with a win, depending on how the game between the Senators and Canadiens plays out.

With all of that being said, this game is going to be hard fought either way, and that was on full display when Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak made a questionable hit on Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond.

There was no call on the play, which clearly frustrated the young Red Wings forward, who was cut on the side of his nose as a result of the hit.

While there was no call on the ice though, it remains possible that Cernak could get a call from the Department of Player Safety for it.

The NHL has been wildly inconsistent with their suspensions in recent years, but we know that no one is above the rulebook.

That much was confirmed earlier this year when Connor McDavid received a three-game suspension for cross-checking Connor Garland.

Be sure to stay tuned over the next 24 hours as we await a decision from the DoPS regarding this play.