Originally a game-time decision because of an undisclosed ailment, Hedman will be in the lineup Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 35-year-old Swedish defenseman and 2017-18 Norris Trophy winner has settled into a smaller role as a veteran in 2026-27. In 10 games, Hedman has four points (2G / 2A), averages a career-low 13:35 time on ice, and is no longer used on the team's power play.
Originally a game-time decision due to an undisclosed ailment, Hagel will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old Hagel had a disappointing showing in Tampa Bay's previous game, recording a -3 plus/minus in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth. That said, he has been clicking offensively this season, with 13 points (7G / 6A) in 11 games.
Vasilevskiy boasts a 5-3-0 record through eight games, but hasn't lived up to the standard he set last season when he won his second Vezina Trophy. The 32-year-old Russian goalie allowed five goals on 23 shots (.783 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has uncharacteristically allowed three or more goals in five of eight games this season, posting a pedestrian 2.78 GAA and .884 SV%. Still, Tampa Bay enters Thursday's game as sizeable -228 home favourites against a struggling Winnipeg Jets team that has scored two or fewer goals in five straight games (0-4-1).
Cirelli exited Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights after just 10:30 of ice time with an undisclosed ailment, but he will be ready to play on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 29-year-old Cirelli has five points (3G / 2A) in nine games this season.
With a 7-2-0 record, Tampa Bay leads the Eastern Conference in points percentage (.778) and hopes to carry their early-season success into Friday with Vasilevskiy tending the twine. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner hasn't had to be spectacular this season, but is coming off a strong performance, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. He has 2.46 GAA and .898 SV% in seven games (5-2-0). Tampa Bay enters the action as +110 road underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche team that is 2-3-1 in their last six games.
Cirelli exited Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights after just 10:30 of ice time with an undisclosed ailment. It is unclear if he will be available when Tampa Bay returns to action on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 29-year-old Cirelli has five points (3G / 2A) in nine games this season.
Tampa Bay is on a hot 6-1-0 run, and they've done it without needing Vasilevskiy, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, to be spectacular. Vasilevskiy has uncharacteristically allowed three goals in each of his last three games (2-1-0). The 32-year-old goalie has a 2.53 GAA and .886 SV% in six games this season (4-2-0). Tampa Bay enters Tuesday's contest as slight -108 road favourites against a Vegas Golden Knights team that has outscored opponents 17-6 in their last three games (3-0-0).
Tampa Bay is on a hot 6-1-0 run, and they've done it without needing Vasilevskiy, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, to be spectacular. Vasilevskiy has uncharacteristically allowed three goals in each of his last three games (2-1-0). The 32-year-old goalie has a 2.53 GAA and .886 SV% in six games this season (4-2-0). Tampa Bay enters Tuesday's contest as slight -108 road favourites against a Vegas Golden Knights team that has outscored opponents 17-6 in their last three games (3-0-0).
