Cernak has not played in over a month but should return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old hard-hitting Slovak defenseman has four assists, 40 hits, and 43 blocks in 19 games this season.
Johansson had a heavy workload at the start of December while Andrei Vasilevskiy was injured, but he returns to the crease on Sunday for the first time in two weeks. The 30-year-old Johansson has been serviceable in a supporting role this season, posting a 2.76 GAA and .897 SV% in 15 appearances (7-6-1).
Vasilevskiy stopped 23 of 24 shots that he faced in the Lightning's 4-1 win over the Blues on Monday. Since returning to the Lightning crease last Thursday, Vasilevskiy has gone 2-1-0 with an .894 SV%. Tonight he'll start in Florida in a coin-flip game (-105 each side). Vasilevskiy has gone 4-2-2 with a 2.38 GAA and .917 SV% in eight road games this season.
Moser was key piece of the Mikhail Sergachev trade in 2024 and has been outstanding on the Lightning's blueline in 2026. Moser and Darren Raddysh have formed one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL, leading the league in xGF% (64.3%) of pairings with at least 150 minutes together.
McDonagh reportedly reaggravated the injury that cost him an extended period of time in late-November/early-December and will not play on Saturday. McDonagh is considered day-to-day and will be replaced by Steven Santini in the lineup vs. the Panthers.
Vasilevskiy stopped 23 of 24 shots that he faced in the Lightning's 4-1 win over the Blues on Monday. Since returning to the Lightning crease last Thursday, Vasilevskiy has gone 2-1-0 with an .894 SV%. Tonight he'll start in Florida in a coin-flip game (-105 each side). Vasilevskiy has gone 4-2-2 with a 2.38 GAA and .917 SV% in eight road games this season.
Santini has split his time between the AHL and NHL this season, totalling one assist in eight games with the Lightning. It's unclear if he'll draw into the lineup on Saturday or if he'll serve as a reserve defenseman vs. the Panthers.
Sabourin comes up from the AHL, potentially to suit up vs. the Panthers, who the Lightning have injury issues against this year. The veteran tough guy, has three points (1G / 2A) in seven NHL games this season.
After a two-week absence due to an injury, Vasilevskiy is showcasing an uncharacteristic 3.00 GAA and .857 SV% in two games (1-1-0). The 31-year-old goalie will return to the crease on Monday, hoping to return to the elite form he was displaying before his injury, posting a dazzling 1.35 GAA and .953 SV% in seven games (6-1-0). Tampa Bay enters the action on Monday as significant -237 home favorites against a St. Louis Blues team coming off an impressive 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers.
After a two-week absence due to an injury, Vasilevskiy is showcasing an uncharacteristic 3.00 GAA and .857 SV% in two games (1-1-0). The 31-year-old goalie will return to the crease on Monday, hoping to return to the elite form he was displaying before his injury, posting a dazzling 1.35 GAA and .953 SV% in seven games (6-1-0). Tampa Bay enters the action on Monday as significant -237 home favorites against a St. Louis Blues team coming off an impressive 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers.
Pelletier was recalled ahead of Saturday's game vs. the Hurricanes but served as a reserve forward and did not play. Pelletier returns to the AHL, where he has 15 goals and 16 assists (31 points) in 24 games this season.
