Tampa Bay Lightning News

Gourde was an undrafted free agent that worked his way to the NHL after playing 298 AHL games and 38 ECHL games. The 26-year-old exploded onto the scene in 2017-18, scoring 25 goals and 39 assists (64 points) in 82 games. Gourde will turn 27 in December, so this contract will take him through his age-33 season.

Hedman was already ruled out of Thursday’s game vs. the Predators, but head coach Jon Cooper said their all-start defenseman will also miss this weekend’s back-to-back. With Hedman out, Ryan McDonagh will play on the top-pairing and top power-play tonight.

Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Devils on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy has won three in a row while stopping 83 of the 88 shots (.943 SV%) that he has faced. Vasilevskiy is the clear No.1 fantasy netminder right now and is a must-start even against a Nashville team that is averaging 3.50 goals per game (t-6th in the NHL).

Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Devils on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy has won three in a row while stopping 83 of the 88 shots (.943 SV%) that he has faced. Vasilevskiy is the clear No.1 fantasy netminder right now and is a must-start even against a Nashville team that is averaging 3.50 goals per game (t-6th in the NHL).

Vasilevkskiy surrendered two goals on 31 shots in the Lightning’s win in Vegas on Friday. Vasilevskiy has won four of his last five starts (4-0-1) while posting a stellar 1.98 GAA, .933 SV% and one shutout. Vasilevskiy is the top goaltending option in fantasy and is a must-start regardless of the matchup.

Hedman will not play Tuesday vs. the Devils or Thursday vs. the Predators, but head coach Jon Cooper added that there’s a good chance he’ll also miss Saturday and Sunday’s road games. With Hedman out, Ryan McDonagh will take on a huge first-pairing role and Mikhail Sergachev is skating on the top power-play unit.

Vasilevskiy stopped all 22 shots that he faced in the Lightning’s shutout win in Colorado on Wednesday. Vasilevskiy was able to shutout one of the hottest offences in the league to win his fourth game of the season. The young netminder has posted an impressive 1.80 GAA, .941 SV% and one shutout in his first six starts of the season and is a must-start whenever he gets the call between the pipes.

Vasilevskiy surrendered five goals on 34 shots in the Lightning’s loss in Minnesota on Saturday. Vasilevskiy has won three of his first five starts in 2018, posting a 2.15 GAA and .933 SV%. He’ll be in tough against an Avalanche team that has won three straight and are tied for fifth in the NHL in scoring (3.67 GF/PG).

Santini lasted just 2:33 TOI in his season debut on Saturday. Santini left the game after breaking his jaw when he was hit by a puck. Either Ben Lovejoy (injured) or the recently called up Egor Yakolev will draw into the lineup on Thursday.

Vasilevskiy made 29 saves on 30 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Red Wings on Thursday. Vasilevskiy has been spectacular to open the 2018-19 season, winning three of his first four starts with a 1.48 GAA and .954 SV%. He is a great matchup again tonight vs. a Wild team on back-to-back and averaging just 2.43 goals for per game (tied 25th).

Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Vasilevskiy has allowed just five goals on 101 shots (.950 SV%) through his first three starts and is a must-start vs. the Red Wings tonight. Vasilevskiy was 3-0-0 with a 1.68 GAA and .950 SV% vs. Detroit last year and the Red Wings have yet to win a game this season.

Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Lightning’s loss to the Canucks on Thursday. Vancouver went on to add two empty-net goals, winning the game 4-1. Vasilevskiy has played very well in his first two starts, stopping 66 of the first 69 shots (.957 SV%) that he has faced. The 24-year-old was 3-0-0 with a 1.30 GAA, .959 SV% and two shutouts vs. the Blue Jackets last year.

Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Lightning’s loss to the Canucks on Thursday. Vancouver went on to add two empty-net goals, winning the game 4-1. Vasilevskiy has played very well in his first two starts, stopping 66 of the first 69 shots (.957 SV%) that he has faced. The 24-year-old was 3-0-0 with a 1.30 GAA, .959 SV% and two shutouts vs. the Blue Jackets last year.

Lightining’s head coach Jon Cooper said he didn’t know why Point left practice but said he “will be fine” for Saturday’s game. Point scored the Lightning’s only goal vs. the Canucks on Thursday.

Vasilevskiy stopped 42 of 43 shots in the Lightning’s 2-1 shootout win over the Panthers last Saturday. It was a great start to the season for Vasilevskiy, who will be well rested for his second start tonight vs. the Canucks. He was 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .935 SV% vs. Vancouver a year ago.

Vasilevskiy led the NHL with 44 wins and eight shutouts last season, posting a 2.62 GAA and .920 SV% along the way. The Lightning are one of the most dominant teams in the NHL, which will allow Vasilevskiy to challenge for the league-lead in victories again. He was 3-1-0 despite posting an ugly 4.24 GAA and .891 SV% vs. the Panthers last season.

Kucherov has been dealing with a lower-body but he was in practice on Monday and head coach Jon Cooper is “optimistic” that Kucherov will be ready to go for their October 6th opener against the Panthers.