Botls G Garon injured in loss against Ottawa

In a season filled with plenty of adversity, the Lightning now must face a bit more gasoline thrown into their fire.

Already without captain Vinny Lecavalier due to a broken hand and playing without three veteran forwards traded away, Tampa Bay may have to face the final playoff push without top goaltender Mathieu Garon due to injury. Garon was hurt early in Tuesday's 7-3 loss to Ottawa and is not expected to be available when Tampa Bay travels to Washington on Thursday.

Garon was injured when he stretched out to make a save on Ottawa's Erik Karlsson. His right leg was extended out and his left leg stayed tucked under his body as he came down. After initially trying to test the injury by dropping down to his knees and pushing off both ways, Garon left under his own power and did not return. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.

"I don't know, anything is possible right now," Lightning head coach Guy Boucher said on whether he's concerned the injury is long term.

Should a replacement for Garon be necessary, Tampa Bay would likely call on Dustin Tokarski from the American Hockey League. Tokarski currently leads the AHL with 27 victories and has won eight consecutive starts with the Norfolk Admirals.