Tampa Bay Lightning News

Geekie appeared in three of Tampa Bay's previous four games but is the odd-man out of the roster after he was reassigned to Syracuse (AHL) on Wednesday. The 21-year-old forward closes out his sophomore campaign in Tampa Bay with a goal, three points and eight PIMs in 14 games played.

Tampa Bay announced Wednesday that they plan to sit some starters for their season finale vs. New York and has recalled Jakob Pelletier from Syracuse (AHL) in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old is expected to draw into Tampa Bay's lineup and will hope to pick up his first point of the season in his fifth appearance for the Lightning.

The Maple Leafs will close out a disappointing 2025-26 season on Wednesday, turning to Hildeby to tend the twine against the Ottawa Senators. The 24-year-old Hildeby has not seen NHL action since mid-January, but was solid in a brief stint with the Maple Leafs, posting a 2.90 GAA and .910 SV% in 19 games (5-6-4). The Maple Leafs enter Wednesday's contest as +174 road underdogs against a Senators team awaiting their first-round playoff matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Crozier has not played since early February, undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury, but he will draw back into the lineup in Tampa Bay's final game of the season. Before his injury, the 25-year-old had been a solid contributor on Tampa Bay's back end, with a goal, 10 points, and a +7 plus/minus in 34 games played this season.

Hagel did not play in Tampa Bay's previous game, but he will return for the team's final game of the season on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Hagel has 74 points (36G / 38A) in 70 games this season.

Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Lighting's win over the Red Wings on Monday. Even with the Lightning locked into their playoff spot, Vasilevskiy will start his fourth straight in the season finale. After a tough March, Vasilevskiy has gone 4-2-0 with a 2.19 GAA and .912 SV% in six starts in April.

Hildeby has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) a day before the Maple Leafs end of season matchup vs. Ottawa on Wednesday. The 24-year-old has played exceptionally well when called upon this season, shown by his 5-6-4 record, .912 SV% and 2.90 GAA.

Hagel did not play in Tampa Bay's previous game, and his status for the team's final game of the season on Wednesday is unclear. That said, Head Coach Jon Cooper suggested that the importance, or lack thereof, of Wednesday's game could play a part, likely indicating that he should, at the very least, be ready for Game 1 of the postseason. The 27-year-old Hagel has 74 points (36G / 38A) in 70 games this season.

Girgensons missed Tampa Bay's previous game with an undisclosed injury but will draw back in as Tampa Bay takes on Detroit on Monday. The veteran forward has appeared in 72 games in Tampa's bottom-six this season, with nine goals, 18 points and 31 PIMs.

Hagel has played one game since March 31st but will be held back out of Tampa Bay's lineup vs. Detroit on Monday with an undisclosed injury with Tampa Bay locked into a playoff position. The 27-year-old will finish his 2025-26 campaign above a point-per-game as he currently sits on 36-goals and 74 points across 70 games played.

With some good fortune, Tampa Bay can still win the Atlantic Division, but they will need a win on Monday, turning to Vasilevskiy against the Detroit Red Wings. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy was excellent in his previous outing, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins. He has allowed three or fewer goals in 13 of his last 14 games (9-4-1). Tampa Bay enters Monday's contest as -188 home favourites against a Red Wings team that has lost four of its last five (1-3-1) to seal their fate as a non-playoff team.