Lightning’s Cirelli, James expected to return against Devils; Crozier placed on IR

Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Anthony Cirelli and Dominic Jamed are expected to return for Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, according to the team’s assistant coach Rob Zettler.

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Cirelli has missed the Lightning’s last four games while dealing with an upper-body injury, while James had been on injured reserve with a face injury prior to being activated on Tuesday. Tampa Bay has also placed defenseman Max Crozier on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury to make room for James.

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Cirelli’s return will be most welcome, as he should slot right in as the Lightning’s second-line center behind Brayden Point. The 2015 third-round pick has seven goals and four assists for 11 points in 14 games this season, while still playing his defensive-minded, shutdown style. He’s coming off his career-best campaign, as he put up 27 goals and 32 assists for 59 points in 80 games last season.

Cirelli, 28, will hope to hit the ground running upon his return to make his case to be selected to Canada’s 2026 Olympic team. Cirelli went pointless as a member of Canada’s championship team at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

James, 23, is in his rookie NHL season after signing a two-year, entry-level contact with Tampa Bay in September. The Plymouth, Michigan native, who had a four-year career at the University of Minnesota Duluth, has a goal and three assists for four points in nine games this season.

Crozier, 25, has been dealing with an undisclosed injury for much of the season, causing him to have only played eight of the Lightning’s 18 games so far. In those eight games, Crozier has totalled three assists in just under 14 and a half minutes of ice time per game.

Tampa Bay will play the second game of their three-game homestand against the Devils on Tuesday, before hosting the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.