Charles Edouard D'astous expected for Game 6 at the Centre Bell
charles edouard d'astous is expected to play Friday night in Game 6 at the Centre Bell after getting hurt in the first game of the series on a hit from Josh Anderson. The Lightning defenseman spoke before the game without giving a definitive answer, but the plan points to a return in a series that has already pushed Tampa Bay’s blue line into a tighter rotation.
Centre Bell return for D'Astous
He was injured on the opening night of the series and then tracked toward a return in time for Game 6. D’Astous said his mother and brother were coming from Rimouski for the game, adding a personal layer to a night that could become only his second career playoff appearance and his first at the Centre Bell.
“Je suis un peu nerveux, je suis humain après tout, a-t-il admis. Si j’ai à jouer, j’ai super hâte et je suis prêt.” That was the clearest line from a player who established himself in the NHL at 28 after never being drafted, and it matched the tone of a defenseman preparing to step back into a playoff game with little margin for error.
Victor Hedman stays out
Jon Cooper kept the answer short when asked about D’Astous, telling reporters they would have to show up to the game to get it. The setup was cleaner on one side of Tampa Bay’s defense: Victor Hedman practiced with his teammates but was not expected to return on Friday.
That leaves the Lightning with one expected change on the blue line rather than a broader shuffle, while Nick Paul was also set to come back after being sick in the previous game. For a team trying to manage its lineup in Game 6, the difference between one returning defenseman and one still out is the decision that shapes the night.
Anderson hit, D'Astous answered
D’Astous described the hit that sent him out in the first game of the series as a double contact, saying, “Jake] Evans était dans mon dos et m’a poussé, Anderson est arrivé en même temps. C’était un double contact, a-t-il analysé. C’était dommage, ça fait partie du jeu. Anderson frappe beaucoup, mais ce n’est jamais dans l’intention de blesser.” He also said he did not hold a grudge against Anderson.
He added one practical reminder for dealing with Anderson’s forecheck: “garder la tête haute, et nos attaquants doivent le ralentir quand il arrive en échec-avant.” If D’Astous is in the lineup Friday, Tampa Bay gets a defenseman back who has already taken a hit in this series and is now lined up for a second playoff game on one of its biggest stages.
