Lightning will be without Victor Hedman to begin playoffs but feel his presence

TAMPA — The Stanley Cup quest for the Tampa Bay Lightning begins Sunday without its longest-standing anchor.“I’ve been here a long time, he trumps me. He’s seen it all,” head coach Jon Cooper said Saturday of defenseman Victor Hedman.There hasn’t been an official update since Hedman left the team for personal reasons last month; everyone very much wanting to respect his privacy. But Cooper on Saturday shed a bit of light on the situation, given that it was the eve of the team’s playoff opener.Advertisement