Charles-Edouard D’Astous doubtful for Game 2 after Josh Anderson hit as Lightning depth thins

The hits keep coming for the Tampa Bay Lightning after a 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

The Lightning finished the game with only five defensemen.

And it’s starting to add up.

We’re talking about a defensive group already without Victor Hedman for weeks, along with a few other key pieces.

If D’Astous misses time, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be seriously short on options on the blue line.

Jon Cooper faces new blue line decisions as D’Astous status remains in doubt for Game 2

Head coach Jon Cooper, who was already tasked with rebuilding his defense without Hedman, will now have to find additional solutions for Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Will D’Astous be available?

The injury appears serious, and according to early reports in Tampa Bay, he is not expected to return anytime soon.

The Montreal Canadiens lead the series 1-0, and the Lightning are dealing with a growing list of injuries.

This situation will be one to monitor ahead of Game 2 between the Montreal Canadiens and the Lightning, still live from Tampa Bay.

D’Astous, 27, is a left-shot defenseman standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 211 pounds, originally from Rimouski, Quebec.

He recorded 3 points in 4 AHL games this season, along with 29 points in 70 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, while posting a -4 rating (with 112 penalty minutes).