Hedman (upper-body) will not play Saturday; expected to be ready for game 1.
Hedman took part in the Lightning’s morning skate and could play tonight, but the Lightning won’t risk it and make sure he is ready for game 1 of the playoffs.
Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA
Tampa Bay Lightning News
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy will start Saturday in Montreal.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Lightning’s loss in New York on Tuesday. The 21-year-old has gone 11-9-0 with a 2.70 GAA and .913 SV% on the year. Tonight he will face a Canadiens team that has lost six of their last 10 games coming into tonight’s game vs.the Lighting.
Hedman (upper-body) will not play on Thursday.
Hedman will miss his second straight game with an upper-body, but he is listed as day-to-day and could potentially return Saturday vs. the Canadiens. Matt Taormina will take Hedman’s spot tonight.
McDonagh expected to miss the start of the playoffs with a small fracture in his right hand.
McDonagh has already been ruled out for the rest of the regular season, but it doesn’t look like he will be ready for the start of the playoffs as he heals a small fracture. He suffered the injury while blocking a shot in Columbus on Monday.
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy leads the Lightning onto the ice for warmups.
Vasilevskiy stopped all 13 shots that he faced after replacing Ben Bishop in the Lightning’s loss in Brooklyn last night. With Bishop struggling last night, Vasilevskiy will start tonight in New York. Vasilevskiy has gone 5-6-0 wit ha 2.55 GAA and .917 SV% on the road this year.
McDonagh (hand) will miss the rest of the regular season.
McDonagh left Monday's game with a hand injury and did not return.
McDonagh suffered the injury while blocking a shot in Monday’s win in Columbus. The Rangers did not have an update on his status after the game, but it appears as if he is in danger of missing the final three remaining games of the season. Expect a full update in the next 24 hours.
Kucherov (lower-body) will return to the Lightning lineup on Thursday.
Kucherov missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but will return to tonight vs. the Canadiens. Kucherov comes in on a four-game goal scoring streak (4G / 1A) and will be looking to score his 30th goal of the season. Mike Blunden will come out of the lineup to make room for the Russian forward.
Kucherov (lower-body) missed the morning skate; not expected to play vs. Toronto.
Kucherov will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury that he suffered on Friday vs. the Islanders. Kucherov will remain sidelined, but Valtteri Filppula will return to the top line vs. the Maple Leafs. Kucherov remains day-to-day.
Kucherov (lower-body) is questionable for Saturday’s game vs. Florida.
Kucherov was injured while blocking a shot in the third period of Friday’s win. Because of the back-to-back, the Lightning did not hold a morning skate, so monitor his status leading up to warmups tonight.
The Capitals have activated John Carlson (lower-body) from IR; expected to play on Friday.
Carlson (lower-body) travelled to New Jersey and could return to the lineup on Friday.
Carlson has been sidelined by a lower-body since February 24th, but it looks like he will return to the lineup tonight in New Jersey. Carlson’s status will not be known until head coach Barry Trotz meets with the media around 5 p.m. ET. Carlson has 31 points (6G / 25A) in 47 games this season.
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy will start Saturday vs. the Panthers.
Vasilevskiy gave up two goals on 22 shots in the Lightning’s loss in Toronto on March 15th. Ben Bishop started the last four games, including last night, so the Lightning will come back with Vasilevskiy on the back-to-back. In one start and one relief appearance against the Panthers this season, Vasilevskiy has stopped 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%).
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy starts Tuesday in Toronto.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Lightning’s loss in Philadelphia on March 7th. Ben Bishop started the last three games, but Vasilevskiy will go tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. It comes as no surprise. Vasilevskiy has faced the Leafs three times this season and has won all three while posting a rock-solid 1.65 GAA and .949 SV%.
Kucherov (upper-body) will play on Tuesday.
Kucherov left Sunday’s game in Columbus after being sucker-punched by Dalton Prout. He took part in the morning skate and will play in Toronto on a line with Steven Stamkos and Alex Killorn. Kucherov has one goal and five assists (six points) in his last seven games.
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy will likely start Tuesday in Toronto.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Lightning’s loss in Philadelphia on March 7th. Ben Bishop started the last three games, but it looks like Vasilevskiy will go tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. It comes as no surprise. Vasilevskiy has faced the Leafs three times this season and has won all three while posting a rock-solid 1.65 GAA and .949 SV%.
Kucherov (upper-body) left Sunday’s game and did not return.
Kucherov was sucker-punched by Blue Jackets’ defenseman Dalton Prout. The Lightning did not have an update on Kucherov’s status, but it is not believed to be serious.