Tampa Bay suffered its first loss in several weeks (11-0-1), a 3-2 shootout loss on Friday to the St. Louis Blues, in which Vasilevskiy saved 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%). The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy has been outstanding since mid-November, posting an elite 1.82 GAA and .929 SV% in 17 games (14-2-1).
The Lightning will hand Vasilevskiy his 29th start of the season when they travel to St. Louis on Friday. Vasilevskiy won his eighth straight start in spectacular fashion on Tuesday, allowing just a single goal on 27 shots in a 2-1 shootout victory over the Penguins. The former Vezina Trophy winner is enjoying another fantastic season between the pipes for the Lightning, posting a 19-7-2 record and a .914 SV% across 28 appearances. The Lightning enter action on Friday as heavy favourites at -200 on the money line.
Jonas Johansson was absent from practice on Thursday, which was initially classified as "body maintenance," but may actually be something that could keep him out of the lineup, as indicated by the recalling of Brandon Halverson from the Syracuse Crunch (AHL). The 30-year-old Johansson has been serviceable in a supporting role this season, posting a 2.73 GAA and .896 SV% in 18 games (10-6-1).
Viel has not played much this season, limited to only one game since the beginning of December, and hopes that a fresh start with the Anaheim Ducks will allot him more playing time. The 28-year-old forward has five points (3G / 2A) in 64 career NHL games.
The Maple Leafs will hand Hildeby his 12th start of the season when they travel to Utah on Tuesday. Hildeby turned in another fantastic effort in his last start, allowing just a single goal on 23 shots in a 2-1 win in Philadelphia on Thursday. The 24-year-old netminder is easily in the midst of the best season of his young career, posting a .914 SV% across 16 appearances. Hildeby and the Maple Leafs enter action on Tuesday at +125 on the money line.
Point scored a goal in Monday's 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, but was injured on the play and exited the game after only 5:47 time-on-ice. The 29-year-old Point has had a down season, with 30 points (11G / 19A) in 37 games, but has started to produce at the elite rate expected of him in recent years, scoring 19 points (8G / 11A) in his last 15 games. Head Coach Jon Cooper announced that the team avoided the worst-case scenario with Point's injury, but he will be reevaluated on a week-to-week basis.
Point scored a goal in Monday's 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, but was injured on the play and exited the game after only 5:47 time-on-ice. The 29-year-old Point has had a down season, with 30 points (11G / 19A) in 37 games, but has started to produce at the elite rate expected of him in recent years, scoring 19 points (8G / 11A) in his last 15 games.
Tampa Bay cruised to a 5-1 win, extending their season-best 10-game winning streak, with Jonas Johansson tending the twine last night against the Philadelphia Flyers, but they will revert to Vasilevskiy on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy has not needed to be spectacular during the team's recent run, posting a 2.45 GAA and .903 SV% in his last seven games (7-0-0). He has a 2.33 GAA and .912 SV% in 27 games this season (18-7-2). Tampa Bay enters Tuesday's contest as -136 road favorites against a Penguins team that has only scored two goals in their last two games (0-2-0).
Point scored a power-play goal at the 4:29 mark of the second period on Monday, but appeared to hurt his knee on the play after an awkward collision with Flyers defenceman Cam York. Point struggled to put weight on his right leg after the play and had to be helped off the ice. We should get an update on his status ahead of Tampa's game in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Tampa Bay will enter the front end of a back-to-back with Johansson tending the twine against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old Johansson has not played since New Year's Day, when he saved 17 of 20 shots (.850 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings. He has a 2.83 GAA and .894 SV% in 17 games this season (9-6-1). The Lightning enter Monday's contest as -141 road favorites against a Flyers team that they pummeled in a 7-2 victory over the weekend.
Tampa Bay will enter the front end of a back-to-back with Johansson tending the twine against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old Johansson has not played since New Year's Day, when he saved 17 of 20 shots (.850 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings. He has a 2.83 GAA and .894 SV% in 17 games this season (9-6-1). The Lightning enter Monday's contest as -141 road favorites against a Flyers team that they pummeled in a 7-2 victory over the weekend.
Sogaard played briefly in Colorado on Thursday and it went terribly. After replacing Leevi Merilainen, Sogaard allowed five goals on 16 shots and was replaced by Merilainen. Hunter Shepard was recalled from the AHL to take Sogaard's spot on the the roster.
With an illness circulating around the Blackhawks' dressing room, several players, including Mikheyev, were game-time decisions on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 31-year-old Mikheyev has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 39 games this season.
With an illness circulating around the Blackhawks' dressing room, several players, including Mikheyev, will be game-time decisions on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 31-year-old Mikheyev has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 39 games this season.
The Maple Leafs have been rolling lately, with points in seven straight games (5-0-2), and will turn to Hildeby on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 24-year-old Swedish goalie was solid in his most recent outing, entering the contest in relief of Joseph Woll, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 6-5 win over the Winnipeg Jets. He has a 2.90 GAA and .912 SV% in 15 appearances this season (3-5-4). The Maple Leafs enter the action on Thursday as slight +108 road underdogs against a Flyers team that has scored five or more goals in three of their last four games (3-1-0).
The Maple Leafs have been rolling lately, with points in seven straight games (5-0-2), and will turn to Hildeby on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 24-year-old Swedish goalie was solid in his most recent outing, entering the contest in relief of Joseph Woll, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 6-5 win over the Winnipeg Jets. He has a 2.90 GAA and .912 SV% in 15 appearances this season (3-5-4). The Maple Leafs enter the action on Thursday as slight +108 road underdogs against a Flyers team that has scored five or more goals in three of their last four games (3-1-0).
