Is Mikhail Sergachev playing tonight against the New York Rangers? Latest update on the defenseman ahead of the matchup on April 5, 2023

The Tampa Bay Lightning might have some good news for their fans as Mikhail Sergachev could return to the lineup tonight against the New York Rangers. The defenseman was back on the ice for practice ahead of the final three-game road trip that starts at Madison Square Garden today.

Mikhail Sergachev left Saturday's game versus the New York Islanders in the third period with an undisclosed injury, and there was no update on his condition after the game. However, his return to practice suggests that the injury might not be too serious.

Prior to his injury, Sergachev had an excellent game against the Islanders, scoring a goal and adding an assist over 20:47 of ice time. With 59 points on the season, he has been a crucial part of the Lightning's success.

Despite already clinching their playoff spot with a dominant 5-0 win over the Islanders, the Lightning will undoubtedly be cautious about bringing back one of their top defensemen. They will likely weigh the risks and rewards of playing him tonight, given that the playoffs are just around the corner.

Nevertheless, if Mikhail Sergachev does play tonight, it will undoubtedly be a significant boost for the Lightning as they look to build some momentum ahead of the playoffs. The Lightning have already secured third spot in the Atlantic Division, but will want to finish the regular season strong and keep their players healthy heading into the postseason.

Mikhail Sergachev: From junior sensation to Stanley Cup champion

Mikhail Sergachev is a Russian professional ice hockey defenseman who was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, ninth overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Sergachev began his junior career in Russia before being drafted by the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In his rookie OHL season, he emerged as a top defenseman and won the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL's most outstanding defenseman.

After impressing at training camp, Sergachev made the opening night roster for the Canadiens in the 2016-17 season and made his NHL debut in October 2016. He appeared in four games with the Canadiens before being returned to the Windsor Spitfires to continue his development. In June 2017, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Jonathan Drouin and a conditional sixth-round draft pick.

In his debut season with the Lightning, Mikhail Sergachev recorded his first career NHL assist and point in a 5-3 victory over the Florida Panthers. He also scored his first two career NHL goals in a 2-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, making him the youngest Lightning defenseman to record a multi-goal game.

Sergachev recorded the game-winning goal in a 6-5 win over the Colorado Avalanche, making him only the fourth rookie defenseman in NHL history to score five game-winning goals in their rookie season. He made his Stanley Cup playoff debut in 2018, recording his first career playoff assist and point in a Lightning victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Mikhail Sergachev signed a three-year, $14.4 million contract with the Lightning in November 2020 and signed an eight-year, $60 million contract extension with the team in July 2022, alongside his teammates Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak. Sergachev won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.