Cernak had one season left on his three-year, $8.85 million contract, so he's now signed through 2030-31. Cernak had 12 points, 46 penalty minutes, 73 blocks, and 165 hits in 55 contests while averaging 19:09 minutes in 2021-22.

Cernak was available to play on Friday in Game 5 after he left Wednesday's contest following a shot block. He logged 19:27 of ice time in Friday's 3-2 win over Colorado, while posting a four hits, two blocks, one shot and a minus-1 rating. Coach Jon Cooper expects to have the same lineup for Sunday's must-win contest. 

"Cerny's feeling better," said Cooper. "I'm pretty confident he's going to play tonight." Cernak was on the ice for Tampa Bay's morning skate and he looked much better than he did when he tested a suspected lower-body injury in Game 4. Cernak ended up leaving Wednesday's game against Colorado following a shot block. Expect him to play on Friday night in a must-win game for the Lightning. 

Cernak was injured in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final after he blocked a shot by Nathan MacKinnon 4:25 into the second period. Cernak left the game due to a lower-body injury and he didn't return. It's unclear at this time if he will be available to play on Friday in Game 5 versus Colorado.