Hedman participated in warmups for Tampa Bay on Saturday but was a late scratch due to an undisclosed ailment. The 34-year-old Hedman is averaging 23:05 time-on-ice, recording 50 points (11G / 39A), 141 shots, and 104 blocks in 6 games this season.
Tampa Bay is coming off a disappointing 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins when Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%). They will attempt to rebound, rolling with Vasilevskiy between the pipes against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old Vasilevskiy has a 2.25 GAA and .920 SV% in 50 games this season (30-17-3). Tampa Bay enters Tuesday's contest as +119 road underdogs against a Carolina team coming off a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
Hedman participated in warmups for Tampa Bay on Saturday but was a late scratch due to an undisclosed ailment. The 34-year-old Hedman is averaging 23:05 time-on-ice, recording 50 points (11G / 39A), 141 shots, and 104 blocks in 6 games this season.
The red-hot Lightning have won nine of their last 10 (9-1-0) and will turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Vasilevskiy was solid in his most recent outing despite being on the wrong end of a 2-1 score, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) against the Florida Panthers. The 30-year-old netminder has been tremendous lately, posting an absurd 1.60 GAA and .948 SV% in his last 12 contests (9-2-1). Tampa Bay enters Thursday's contest as sizeable -242 home favorites against a Sabres squad amid a four-game losing skid (0-3-1).
After being acquired in a trade on Wednesday, Oliver Bjorstrand is expected to make his Lightning' debut on Thursday vs. Buffalo. When the 29-year-old takes the ice on Thursday, he will wear his third different NHL jersey in his 10th NHL season. He had 16 goals, 37 points and 124 SOG in 61 games with Seattle before being moved to Tampa Bay.
Gourde was acquired by Tampa Bay in a massive deal with Seattle and Detroit and is expected to make his return to the Lightning lineup on Thursday vs. Buffalo. The 33-year-old two-way forward spent the first six seasons of his NHL career in Tampa Bay before being acquired by Seattle during their expansion draft.
Tampa Bay acquired Gourde on Wednesday along with Oliver Bjorkstrand in a trade that sent Michael Eyssimonth, a 2026 1st round pick, a 2027 1st round pick, and a 2025 2nd round pick to the Seattle Kraken. Gourde has struggled with consistency while battling injuries this season but could see a boost in production returning to his former club. The 33-year-old Gourde scored 17 points (6G / 11A) in 36 games with Seattle this season.
Gourde has struggled with consistency while battling injuries this season but could see a boost in production returning to his former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 33-year-old Gourde scored 17 points (6G / 11A) in 36 games with Seattle this season.
Bjorkstrand brings significant offensive depth to a Tampa Bay Lightning team in the running for first place in the Atlantic Division. The 29-year-old Bjorkstrand tallied 37 points (16G / 21A) and 124 shots while averaging 15:28 time-on-ice through 61 games with Seattle this season.
Brown was the 11th overall pick of the Senators in the 2016 NHL Draft but has primarily been an AHL player. The 27-year-old forward scored 19 points (7G / 12A) in 25 games with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) this season.
Atkinson has not played an AHL game since the 2012-13 season but finds himself reporting to the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) after clearing waivers on Wednesday. The 35-year-old Atkinson has eight points (3G / 5A) in 37 games with the Lightning this season.
Gourde has not played since January 2nd but will return to the Kraken lineup on Tuesday. The 33-year-old forward is averaging 15:34 time-on-ice and has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 35 games. His name has floated around trade rumors recently and appears now to be fully healthy in time for the March 7th deadline.
Atkinson will slot in for Nick Perbix as the Lightning opt to dress just six defencemen. Atkinson has three goals and five assists in 36 games this season.
Perbix will take a seat on Tuesday as the Lightning opt to dress just six defencemen. Cam Atkinson will draw into the lineup in his place.
Johansson will make his 13th start of the season when the Lightning host the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Johansson's last start came way back on January 28th after a lower-body injury made him unavailable for most of February. He suffered a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Blackhawks in that last start, allowing three goals on 20 shots. His record sits at 6-5-1 entering Tuesday night's game against Columbus, where the Lightning enter action at -160 on the money line.
Gourde has not played since January 2nd and but appears to be nearing a return after ramping up intensity at practice. The 33-year-old forward is averaging 15:34 time-on-ice and has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 35 games. His name has floated around trade rumors recently and appears destined to make his return before the March 7th deadline.
