The Tampa Bay Lightning today have announced that they re-assigned defenseman Cameron Gaunce to the Syracuse Crunch. The Lightning went into game one with the Columbus Blue Jackets with eight healthy defensemen on the roster, plus Anton Stralman as he nursed an injury. Additionally, the Syracuse Crunch have signed a forward Nick Bligh and defenseman Jack Stander to Professional Tryout Contracts.
The Lightning coaching staff decided to make Braydon Coburn and Gaunce healthy scratches for the start of the playoffs. It seemed to me that the team wanted to keep eight healthy defensemen around just in case something happened.