Tampa Bay Lightning News

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.

Geekie was scratched on Thursday as the Lighting went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. But with Darren Raddysh injured on Saturday, Geekie will suit back up as the 12th forward. Geekie enters the game with two assists in 12 NHL games this season.

Sabourin missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but he will be back in the lineup on Saturday. Sabourin, who has one goal and three assists in 23 games this season, will replace Jakob Pelletier, who was reassigned to the AHL.

Hagel has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, but is expected to replace Zemgus Girgensons (undisclosed) in the lineup on Saturday. Hagel has had another outstanding season, tallying 35 goals with 38 assists (73 points) in 69 games.

Girgensons will miss Saturday's game against the Bruins is considered day-to-day. Brandon Hagel is expected to return to the Lightning lineup to replace him.

Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Lightning's loss in Montreal on Thursday. Vasilevskiy is the Vezina Trophy favourite and leads the NHL in wins (37) but has gone 3-3-1 with a 2.45 GAA and .897 SV% in his last seven outings. This afternoon he will face the Bruins for the third time this season, having gone 2-0-0 while stopping 50 of 56 shots (.893 SV%) in the first two meetings.

Pelletier appeared in two games during his call-up, failing to record a point and played just 7:06 in Montreal Thursday. He'll return to AHL, where he leads the league with 75 points (28G / 47A) in 61 games this season.

Cirelli has not played in Tampa Bay's past two games due to an undisclosed injury, but will return on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 28-year-old Cirelli had a career-high 59 points (27G / 32A) in 80 games in the 2024-25 season, and is producing at a similar rate this season, with 52 points (23G / 29A) through 68 games.

Tampa Bay is in a zero-margin-for-error battle with the Buffalo Sabres for the top seed in the Atlantic Division, and will turn to Vasilevskiy on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) in a 4-2 losing effort to the Buffalo Sabres in his previous outing. In his last 10 games (7-2-1), Vasilevskiy has a 2.42 GAA and .897 SV%. Tampa Bay enters the action on Thursday as -114 road favourites against a Montreal team that defeated them 4-1 less than two weeks ago.

Tampa Bay is in a zero-margin-for-error battle with the Buffalo Sabres for the top seed in the Atlantic Division, and will turn to Vasilevskiy on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) in a 4-2 losing effort to the Buffalo Sabres in his previous outing. In his last 10 games (7-2-1), Vasilevskiy has a 2.42 GAA and .897 SV%. Tampa Bay enters the action on Thursday as -114 road favourites against a Montreal team that defeated them 4-1 less than two weeks ago.

Cirelli has not played in Tampa Bay's past two games due to an undisclosed injury, but he could be an option on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 28-year-old Cirelli had a career-high 59 points (27G / 32A) in 80 games in the 2024-25 season, and is producing at a similar rate this season, with 52 points (23G / 29A) through 68 games.

Duke made his season debut for Tampa Bay on Wednesday, recording a -1 plus/minus in 9:22 time-on-ice. The 23-year-old forward has 55 points (31G / 24A) in 67 games this season with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL).

Pelletier played two games with Tampa Bay earlier this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 25-year-old forward is having an outstanding season with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL), leading the AHL with 75 points (28G / 47A) in 61 games.

Geekie scored two assists in 11 games this season with Tampa Bay, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 21-year-old 11th-overall pick from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft has 59 points (17G / 42A) this season in 56 games with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL).

Duke made his NHL debut last season, scoring one goal in two games, but has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 23-year-old forward has 55 points (31G / 24A) in 67 games this season with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL).

Holmber exited Monday's 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres after only 8:21 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The severity of his injury has not yet been revealed, but Tampa Bay Head Coach Jon Cooper expressed concerns following the game. The 27-year-old Swedish forward has 22 points (11G / 11A) in 69 games this season.

Sabourin was playing regularly for Tampa Bay towards the end of March, but he had missed two straight due to an undisclosed injury. The 33-year-old Sabourin has four points (1G / 3A) and 89 penalty minutes in 22 games this season.

Cirelli was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the Lightning not announcing his absence prior to warmups. He is considered day-to-day with the injury. Scott Sabourin will draw into the lineup in his place.

In a pivotal game that could decide the winner of the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay will turn to Vasilevskiy on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy was excellent in his previous outing, saving 21 of 22 shots (.955 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins. He has battled some inconsistencies this season, but has a solid 2.03 GAA and .916 SV% in his last four games (3-1-0). Tampa Bay enters Monday's contest as -116 road favourites against a Buffalo team that has been outscored 10-3 in its last two games (0-2-0).

In a pivotal game that could decide the winner of the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay will turn to Vasilevskiy on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy was excellent in his previous outing, saving 21 of 22 shots (.955 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins. He has battled some inconsistencies this season, but has a solid 2.03 GAA and .916 SV% in his last four games (3-1-0). Tampa Bay enters Monday's contest as -116 road favourites against a Buffalo team that has been outscored 10-3 in its last two games (0-2-0).