The Lightning have signed Jan Rutta to a one-year contract worth $1.3 million.
Rutta split his campaign between the Blackhawks and Lightning and spent half the year in the AHL. Rutta had four goals and eight assists (12 points) in 26 AHL games and eight points (2G / 6A) in 37 NHL games. With the Lightning’s blueline banged up at the end of the season, Rutta appeared in all four playoff games, where he had two helpers. He will likely serve as a sixth/seventh defenseman with Tampa Bay next year.
Source: Lightning 05/9/19, 2:26 pm EST
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy starts Game 4 in Columbus.
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Lightning’s 3-1 loss in Columbus in Game 3. It was Vasilevskiy’s best performance of the series but he has now allowed 11 goals on 82 shots (.866 SV%) through three games. The Lightning’s season is on the line tonight in Columbus so they will need Vasilevskiy to have his best showing of the playoffs
Source: Dan Rosen 04/16/19, 6:55 pm EST
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy is expected to start Game 4 in Columbus.
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Lightning’s 3-1 loss in Columbus in Game 3. It was Vasilevskiy’s best performance of the series but he has now allowed 11 goals on 82 shots (.866 SV%) through three games. The Lightning’s season is on the line tonight in Columbus so they will need Vasilevskiy to have his best showing of the playoffs.
Source: Dan Rosen 04/16/19, 4:05 pm EST
Killorn (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Game 4.
Killorn was forced to leave Game 3 with an undisclosed injury but was on the ice for the morning skate and is officially listed as a game-time decision for Game 4. Killorn has one goal on six shots while averaging 12:13 TOI/gm through the first three games of the series.
Hedman (undisclosed) will not play in Game 4.
The writing was on the wall for Hedman to miss Game 4 but he has now been downgraded to out by head coach Jon Cooper. Braydon Coburn will remain on the blueline with Hedman sidelined.
Hedman (undisclosed) is doubtful to play in Game 4.
Even with the Lightning down 3-0 in Columbus, it doesn’t look like Hedman will be available for Game 4. With Hedman out in Game 3, Mikhail Sergachev played six more minutes (22:55) than he did in Game 2 and Ryan McDonagh led all defensemen with 23:00 TOI.
Source: Joe Smith 04/16/19, 11:30 am EST
Hedman (undisclosed) is not on the ice for warmups.
Hedman missed yesterday's practice and was listed as a game-time decision but will not play in Game 3 in Columbus. Braydon Coburn will draw into the Lightning lineup as they go to battle without Hedman or Nikita Kucherov.
Source: Joe Smith 04/14/19, 6:35 pm EST
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy will start Game 3 in Columbus.
Vasilevskiy surrendered five goals on 27 shots in the Lightning's 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets in Game 2. Vasilevskiy, who could win the Vezina this season, has had a rough start to the postseason, allowing nine goals on 53 shots (.830 SV%) so far. Things will not get any easier in Game 3 as the Lightning will be without Nikita Kucherov (suspension) and Victor Hedman (injury).
Source: Dan Rosen 04/14/19, 6:41 pm EST
Hedman (undisclosed) is questionable for Game 3 in Columbus.
Hedman missed Saturday's practice because he is "banged up" but head coach Jon Cooper is hopeful that their No.1 defeneman will be available on Sunday evening. The Lightning are down 2-0 and without their best forward, so they need Hedman in the lineup.
Source: Joe Smith 04/14/19, 9:41 am EST
Suspension
Kucherov has been suspended for one game for board Markus Nutivaara.
Kucherov will miss Game 3 in Columbus after being suspended for a boarding incident in Game 2. The Lightning are in a tough spot, on the road, down 2-0 and without their best player. Mathieu Joseph will move into the Lightning's top-6 with Kucherov out.
Stralman (lower-body) will not play in Game 2.
Stralman took part in the Lightning's morning skate but will not be available for Game 2 vs. the Blue Jackets. Jan Rutta will remain in the lineup with Stralman sidelined.
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy will start Game 2 vs. the Blue Jackets.
Source: Joe Smith 04/12/19, 11:28 am EST
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy will start Game 1 vs. the Blue Jackets.
Vasilevskiy put together a great season, leading the NHL in wins (39) despite being 15th in starts (53). Vasilevskiy was also tied for fifth in SV% (.925) and 10th in GAA (2.40). In the first-round the Lightning will face a Blue Jackets team that they dominated this season—Vasilevskiy was 3-0-0 wth a 1.00 GAA, .971 SV% and one shutout vs. Columbus this season.
Line Change
Coburn will be a healthy scratch in Game 1.
Coburn played in the final 14 games of the regular season but with Victor Hedman ready to play and Jan Rutta playing well, Coburn will sit for Game 1.
Source: Joe Smith 04/10/19, 2:05 pm EST
Hedman (upper-body) will play in Game 1.
Hedman missed the final three games of the regular season with an upper-body injury but was on the ice for both Monday and Tuesday’s practice sessions and will play in Game 1 on Wednesday. Hedman had another fantastic season, scoring 12 goals with 42 assists (54 points) in 70 games.
Source: Bryan Burns 04/9/19, 1:29 pm EST
Stralman (lower-body) is “improving” but is not expected to play in Game 1.
Stralman participated in the final two games of the regular season but missed Monday’s practice with a lower-body injury. Head coach Jon Cooper said that Stralman is improving but is “still not ready to go quite yet.” Jan Rutta is expected to play as the Lightning’s sixth defenseman in Game 1.
Source: Bryan Burns 04/9/19, 1:27 pm EST
Stralman is scratched Saturday in Boston.
Line Change
Paquette is scratched Saturday in Boston.
Line Change
Point is scratched Saturday in Boston.
Goalie Start
Pasquale will start Saturday in Boston.
