Hedman played a season-low 17:51 time-on-ice in Tampa Bay's most recent game, and has been absent from the team's last two practices, tending to an undisclosed injury. The 34-year-old Hedman has 12 points (0G / 12A) through 15 games this season.
James was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and is making an impressive mark in his first NHL season. Through nine games, the 23-year-old has four points (1G / 3A), all recording during his current two-game point streak.
McDonagh exited Saturday's 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals late in the first period due to an undisclosed injury, and is expected to miss several games. The 36-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:10 time-on-ice, recording six points (3G / 3A) and 26 blocks in 15 games this season.
Cirelli suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's win in Vegas and will not play Saturday vs. Washington. Head coach Jon Cooper said that Cirelli could be back on Wednesday, so he's not expected to be sidelined for long.
Cirelli exited Thursday's 6-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period due to an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Cirelli is off to a hot start in the 2025-26 season, playing mostly alongside Brandon Hagel, scoring 11 points (7G / 4A) in 14 games. The team has yet to provide an update on Cirelli's status.
Crozier will slot out of the Lightning lineup on Thursday in favour of Darren Raddysh. Crozier has appeared in five games this season, registering zero goals and three assists.
Raddysh has appeared in seven games so far this season, logging one goal and two assists. Maxwell Crozier will sit in his place.
After a poor start to the season, failing to record a win in his first five games (0-3-2), posting a dreadful 3.40 GAA and .885 SV%, Vasilevskiy has returned to the form that makes him a perennial Vezina trophy candidate. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy has won three of his last four games, posting a tremendous 1.80 GAA and .925 SV% in his last four games (3-1-). He will attempt to continue his strong play on Thursday in a game against a Vegas Golden Knights team that he saved 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) against two weeks ago in a 2-1 overtime win. Tampa Bay enters Thursday's game as slight +103 road underdogs.
After a poor start to the season, failing to record a win in his first five games (0-3-2), posting a dreadful 3.40 GAA and .885 SV%, Vasilevskiy has returned to the form that makes him a perennial Vezina trophy candidate. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy has won three of his last four games, posting a tremendous 1.80 GAA and .925 SV% in his last four games (3-1-). He will attempt to continue his strong play on Thursday in a game against a Vegas Golden Knights team that he saved 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) against two weeks ago in a 2-1 overtime win. Tampa Bay enters Thursday's game as slight +103 road underdogs.
The Lightning will unsurprisingly turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes when they travel to Denver to take on the Avalanche on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy turned in a stellar performance in his last start, allowing just one goal on 21 shots in a 2-1 overtime win over the Stars on Thursday. The former Vezina Trophy winner carries a 3-3-2 record and an .899 SV% into Tuesday night's matchup with the Avs, where the Lightning enter action at +125 on the money line.
Paul underwent surgery in mid September to address an upper-body injury and appears nearly ready to draw into the lineup for his season debut. The 30-year-old Paul had 22 goals, 41 points and 141 SOG in 76 games played last season.
