Broken Foot Sidelines Tampa Bay Lightning's Defenseman Victor Hedman During Hockey Game
The hockey season is truly upon us, and nothing quite encapsulates this excitement like the sheer tenacity displayed by our favorite players. The recent playoff clash between Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning was a testament to this, as the Panthers managed to sweep their rivals from the Sunshine State.
With the Lightning's defeat, it's time for the players to pack up their gear and head off for a much-needed break. One such player is Victor Hedman, the team's captain, who's been battling through a broken foot throughout the series, according to reports from The Hockey News.
Imagine, LeBron James playing a NBA Finals game with a broken foot - it's not beyond the realm of possibility with the sheer grit displayed by hockey guys. In my days on the ice (2014 Central Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League All-Star, team leader in assists), I've played with a blister on my heel, and I can attest to the agony. Now, that was just a minor league game; Hedman was trying to power his way through the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It's likely that if the Bolts had made it to the second round, Hedman would have continued playing on his injured foot. These guys are made of different stuff.
Speaking of injuries, forward Oliver Bjorkstrand has been dealing with left thigh compartment syndrome, an injury sustained before the playoffs started. According to reports, things got a bit hairy for Bjorkstrand as he woke up in the middle of the night with bleeding and signs of swelling, requiring an emergency room visit. But fear not, he's expected to make a full recovery.
Life on the ice is never easy, but these guys sure make it look worth it. So here's to another season of incredible acts of hockey tenacity.
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[1] https://www.thehockeynews.com/playoffs/2025-nhl-playoffs-victor-hedman-played-with-broken-foot-in-series-loss-to-florida/[2] https://www.tsn.ca/rumour-mill-fee-hockey/story/1085155[3] https://www.nhl.com/news/victor-hedman-played-playoffs-with-fractured-foot/c-329392600
Victor Hedman played Games 4 and 5 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs first round against the Florida Panthers with a broken foot, confirmed via post-season imaging. Despite the injury, he remained active but acknowledged waking up post-Game 4 with "throbbing pain," requiring efforts to conceal the severity from media and opponents. Hedman expects to recover fully by training camp, humorously referencing his "Viking blood" for faster healing.
Oliver Bjorkstrand missed the playoffs entirely due to left thigh compartment syndrome, as confirmed by GM Julien BriseBois. His absence removed a key forward from Tampa’s lineup during their five-game series loss to Florida.
[1] "Despite his broken foot, Victor Hedman, the captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning, exhibited an extraordinary level of strength and determination, playing Games 4 and 5 of the 2025 NHL playoffs."
[2] "In hockey, even high school interscholastic sports, players often face challenges that test their limits, such as playing with injuries like a blister or, in Hedman's case, a broken foot."
[3] "Apart from Hedman, forward Oliver Bjorkstrand had also been struggling with injuries, specifically left thigh compartment syndrome. His recovery process was more complicated, involving an unforeseen emergency room visit due to bleeding and swelling overnight."
