Tampa Bay has brought back their backup goaltender for two more seasons on Wednesday after they signed the 29-year-old Swede to a two-year, $2.5 million ($1,250,000 AAV) contract extension. The towering netminder was only called up 19 times in 2024-25, and produced a 9-6-3 record with a 3.13 GAA and .895 SV%.
With their backs against the wall, Vasilevskiy and the Lightning will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 4-2 loss in Game 4. After a pair of strong performances in Games 2 and 3, the former Vezina Trophy winner stopped just 19 of the 22 shots he faced on Monday. Vasilevskiy owns a 2.79 GAA and an uncharacteristically low .884 SV% through the opening four games of the playoffs. The Lightning enter Wednesday's must-win game at -115 on the money line.
Hagel returned from a one-game suspension on Monday but suffered an undisclosed injury, playing on 11:04 time-on-ice, and will not play in Game 5. The 26-year-old Hagel had a tremendous 2024-25 season, scoring 90 points (35G / 55A) in 82 games but has zero points a -4 plus/minus through three postseason contests.
The Lightning will of course stick with their franchise netminder between the pipes for the fourth game of their opening round series against the Panthers. Vasilevskiy was phenomenal in Tampa Bay's 5-1 victory in Game 3, allowing just a single goal on 34 shots. The former Vezina Trophy winner has rebounded nicely after a rocky performance in Game 1, posting a .964 SV% across the last two games. The Lightning enter action on Monday at +140 on the money line.
Hagel did not play in Game 3, serving a suspension for an illegal hit on Florida's Aleksander Barkov, but will return to the lineup for Game 4. The 26-year-old Hagel had a career-best season, scoring 90 points (35G / 55A) in 82 games, but has a -4 plus/minus and zero points through two postseason games.
Raddysh will take a seat on Thursday as the Lightning are opting to dress 12 forwards. Winger Mitchell Chaffee will play in his place.
Chaffee will get the chance to make his 2025 playoff debut on Thursday as the Lightning are opting to dress 12 forwards. Defenceman Darren Raddysh will sit in his place.
Cirelli exited Tuesday's 6-2 Game 1 loss to the Florida Panthers after playing only 6:21 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury, and his status is up in the air for Game 2. Nick Paul centered Tampa Bay's second line after Cirelli's injury. The 27-year-old Cirelli scored a career-high 59 points (27G / 32A) in 80 games this season.
Vasilevskiy had a tremendous regular season, posting a 2.18 GAA and .921 SV% in 63 games (38-20-5). During the regular season, Vasilevskiy never allowed more than five goals in a game. However, in Game 1, he was beaten six times on 17 shots (.647 SV%) in a 6-2 loss. Still, he will return to the crease in Game 2, looking to help Tampa Bay tie the series at one. Tampa Bay enters Game 2 on Thursday as -117 home favorites against the Florida Panthers.
Vasilevskiy had a tremendous regular season, posting a 2.18 GAA and .921 SV% in 63 games (38-20-5). During the regular season, Vasilevskiy never allowed more than five goals in a game. However, in Game 1, he was beaten six times on 17 shots (.647 SV%) in a 6-2 loss. Still, he will return to the crease in Game 2, looking to help Tampa Bay tie the series at one. Tampa Bay enters Game 2 on Thursday as -117 home favorites against the Florida Panthers.
Cirelli exited Tuesday's 6-2 Game 1 loss to the Florida Panthers after playing only 6:21 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury, and his status is up in the air for Game 2. Nick Paul centered Tampa Bay's second line after Cirelli's injury. The 27-year-old Cirelli scored a career-high 59 points (27G / 32A) in 80 games this season.
Cirelli exited Tuesday's 6-2 Game 1 loss to the Florida Panthers after playing only 6:21 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury. Nick Paul centered Tampa Bay's second line after Cirelli's injury. The 27-year-old Cirelli scored a career-high 59 points (27G / 32A) in 80 games this season.
The battle of Florida is the only playoff series yet to commence, but it will get underway on Tuesday, with Vasilevskiy tending the twine for Tampa Bay. Vasilevskiy had a tremendous season, rebounding after an uncharacteristically averaging 2023-24 campaign, posting an impressive 2.18 GAA and .921 SV% in 63 games (38-20-5). The 30-year-old netminder has a 2.41 GAA and .920 SV% in 115 career playoff games (66-46). Tampa Bay enters Game 1 on Tuesday as slight -115 home favorites against the Florida Panthers.
The battle of Florida is the only playoff series yet to commence, but it will get underway on Tuesday, likely with Vasilevskiy tending the twine for Tampa Bay. Vasilevskiy had a tremendous season, rebounding after an uncharacteristically averaging 2023-24 campaign, posting an impressive 2.18 GAA and .921 SV% in 63 games (38-20-5). The 30-year-old netminder has a 2.41 GAA and .920 SV% in 115 career playoff games (66-46). Tampa Bay enters Game 1 on Tuesday as slight -115 home favorites against the Florida Panthers.
Tampa Bay will give Andrei Vasilevskiy the night off before they head into the playoffs for the first-round series against the Florida Panthers, turning to Johansson between the pipes in their season-finale against the New York Rangers. Johansson struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 25 shots (.840 SV%) in a 7-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The 29-year-old goalie has a 3.08 GAA and .898 SV% in 18 games this season (9-5-3). Tampa Bay enters Thursday's contest as +105 road underdogs against New York.
Tampa Bay will give Andrei Vasilevskiy the night off before they head into the playoffs for the first-round series against the Florida Panthers, turning to Johansson between the pipes in their season-finale against the New York Rangers. Johansson struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 25 shots (.840 SV%) in a 7-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The 29-year-old goalie has a 3.08 GAA and .898 SV% in 18 games this season (9-5-3). Tampa Bay enters Thursday's contest as +105 road underdogs against New York.
