The team’s top defenseman, who played just three shifts before leaving Tampa Bay’s last game Thursday, tried to give it a go, but was scratched.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman left Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period after appearing to injure himself behind the Tampa net.

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost top defenseman and captain Victor Hedman to injury during Thurdsay night’s wild 6-5 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Amalie Arena; he managed to play less than three total minutes in the first period,