Tampa Bay Lightning News

Vasilevskiy will start for the third straight game on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche, a repeat of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. The 29-year-old Vasilevskiy has been extremely consistent lately, allowing three or fewer goals in 11 straight (9-2-0), posting a solid .917 SV%. Tampa Bay is a slight -109 home favourite against a Colorado club that snapped a four-game losing streak on Tuesday with a 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals.

Guentzel left Wednesday's contest vs. Florida late in the third period after 18:30 TOI due to an upper-body injury and is being evaluated post-game. The 29-year-old is one of the Penguins' top trade pieces coming into the March deadline and will hope to have him back as they are in the middle of a back-to-back with a game on Thursday. He is currently tied for the team lead in points with 52 (22G/30A) in 50 games played this season.

Pelletier exited Tuesday's game against the New York Rangers early in the first period with an upper-body injury after playing only 54 seconds. Pelletier has been limited to only four games this season as he previously recovered from shoulder surgery. The Flames recalled Cole Schwindt from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL), indicating that Pelletier will likely be unavailable for the Flames' Thursday night matchup against the San Jose Sharks.

Vasilevskiy will start for the seventh time in the last eight games when the Lightning face off against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night. Vasilevskiy saved 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%) in his last outing and has won four of his last five starts (4-1-0). That said, Vasilevskiy allowed six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) the last time he faced off against the Bruins and, as such, Tampa Bay is a +136 road underdog.

The Lightning will turn to Johansson on Thursday for the tail-end of their back-to-back after starter Andrei Vasilevskiy got the nod against the Rangers on Wednesday. Johansson has not appeared in a game since January 20th, when he stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced enroute to a 3-1 victory over the Sabres. It was one of the better starts of the season for the 28-year-old netminder, who owns an .894 SV% and a 3.34 GAA across 22 games with the Lightning.

Tampa Bay returns to the ice from the All-Star break on Wednesday and will turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes for his fifth straight start. The 29-year-old Vasilevskiy has won seven of his last eight and three in a row, his most consistent stretch of wins this season. Despite the victories, Vasilevskiy has been unsensational, allowing three goals in each of his last three games and posting a pedestrian .882 SV%. The Lightning are +112 road underdogs on Wednesday against the New York Rangers.

Cernak returned to practice earlier this week and will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday after a seven-game absence. Cernak has five points (0G / 5A), 90 hits, and 62 blocks in 39 games this season.

Tampa Bay returns to the ice from the All-Star break on Wednesday and will likely turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes for his fifth straight start. The 29-year-old Vasilevskiy has won seven of his last eight and three in a row, his most consistent stretch of wins this season. Despite the victories, Vasilevskiy has been unsensational, allowing three goals in each of his last three games and posting a pedestrian .882 SV%. The Lightning are +112 road underdogs on Wednesday against the New York Rangers.

Cernak is nearing a return from his seven-game absence after participating at practice on Monday. Cernak has five points (0G / 5A), 90 hits, and 62 blocks in 39 games this season.

Girgensons exited the Sabres' January 24th victory against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period with an upper-body injury after playing only 1:01 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Girgensons has four points (4G / 0A) in 31 games. Before his injury, Girgensons was seeing increased offensive deployment, including some time in the top six.

Chaffee was returned to Syracuse (AHL) for the All-Star break but has been deservedly returned to Tampa Bay on Monday. The 26-year-old had only appeared in two NHL games previous to this season and picked up his first career points on January 25th, 2024 this season. Through three games and only 8:25 average TOI he has a goal and an assist to go along with his +1 plus/minus.

Girgensons exited Wednesday's 5-3 victory against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period with an upper-body injury after playing only 1:01 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Girgensons has four points (4G / 0A) in 31 games. The Sabres next game is on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks but he is considered day-to-day for the time being.

Chaffee has not played since December 12th, when he registered two hits in 6:56 time-on-ice. He will likely line up on the fourth line with Luke Glendenning and Waltteri Merela.

Vasilevskiy has won five of his last six contests and will return to the crease for the third straight game on Thursday night. Vasilevskiy has struggled since returning from off-season back surgery in November but is amid a favourable stretch of play, allowing three or fewer goals in six straight (5-1-0), posting a serviceable .919 SV%. The Lightning has a favourable matchup as -206 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club that played last night, losing 6-2 to the Florida Panthers.

Chaffee went pointless in his only game with the Lightning this season, though he remains productive for Syracuse (AHL). He has 11 goals and 14 assists in 33 AHL games this season.