Vasilevskiy has not played this season after undergoing back surgery in September. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said Vasilevskiy might debut on the team's upcoming road trip, which would be right on cue with his original 8-10-week prognosis. Jonas Johansson has occupied the Lightning crease for the majority of Vasilevskiy's absence and, despite a recent decline in play, will likely continue to see a steady share of action while Vasilevskiy re-acclimates himself to game-action before taking his rightful place as the bonafide starting goalie.
