Lightning make rare single-player recall ahead of must-win Game 5

The Lightning announced theyve recalled defenseman Maxwell Crozier from AHL Syracuse ahead of tonights must-win Game 5 against the Panthers.

While a single-player recall is eye-popping this time of year, especially after captain Victor Hedman briefly left Mondays Game 4 loss for repairs, Tampa doesnt anticipate having any injuries that require inserting Crozier into the lineup.

Head coach Jon Cooper said Hedmans (and banged-up center Anthony Cirelli s) health is status quo, and theyre both in tonight as they try to avoid losing to Florida in five games in the first round in back-to-back years (via the teams Benjamin Pierce ).

Instead, Croziers inclusion on the roster comes as simple insurance with Syracuse on the brink of elimination in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Tampa has dressed seven defensemen for the majority of the series, leaving them without any press box options.

The 25-year-old got just five games of NHL action this season, averaging 16:41 per game with six blocks and 11 hits across a January call-up.

In the slim chance hes needed, it wouldnt be his first Stanley Cup rodeo.

The Calgary native drew into three of the Lightnings five contests against the Panthers last year, posting a minus-one rating in bottom-pairing minutes.

A pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights, Crozier finished second among Syracuse defensemen in scoring and fourth overall on the team this season with a 9-2534 line in 52 games.

His +16 rating led the team.

A 2019 fourth-round pick, hes posted good numbers from the get-go in Syracuse after turning pro out of Providence College in 2023 and has likely worked his way into consideration for an opening night roster spot in Tampa next fall if he re-signs.

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