Tampa Bay Lightning News

Vasilevskiy will make his long-awaited season debut for Tampa Bay after undergoing back surgery in September. His return to the lineup lines up with his initial 8-10-week timeline. During his absence from the lineup, Jonas Johansson filled in as the starting goaltender, but the team will be excited to get their perennial Vezina candidate back in the lineup. The Lightning are +143 road underdogs on Friday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that has won two straight games, outscoring their opposition 10-5.

Perry was pacing for his best offensive totals in a half-decade with nine points (4G / 5A) in 16 games this season but will serve as a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Perry's continued absence from the lineup is puzzling, given his strong start to the season and the news that Taylor Hall will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.

Vasilevskiy has yet to make an appearance in 2023-24 as he recovers from a back injury but is expected to be activated off the injured reserve Friday after Matt Tomkins was placed on waivers Thursday. The 29-year-old six-time NHL wins leader will make a welcome return to Tampa's roster, where he was 34-22-4 with a 2.65 GAA and .915 SV% in 60 GP in 2022-23.

Johansson has been abysmal lately, but due to a lack of options between the pipes for the Lightning and his ability to still secure victories will likely start again on Wednesday. Johansson has allowed four or more goals in eight of his last nine outings, posting a wretched .867 SV%, but has still salvaged a winning 4-3-2 record. Tampa Bay has even -105 betting odds on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, who have been scoring at an impressive clip, tallying at least five goals in five of their last seven games (6-1-0).

Vasilevskiy has not played this season after undergoing back surgery in September. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said Vasilevskiy might debut on the team's upcoming road trip, which would be right on cue with his original 8-10-week prognosis. Jonas Johansson has occupied the Lightning crease for the majority of Vasilevskiy's absence and, despite a recent decline in play, will likely continue to see a steady share of action while Vasilevskiy re-acclimates himself to game-action before taking his rightful place as the bonafide starting goalie.

Johansson has been abysmal lately, but due to a lack of options between the pipes for the Lightning and his ability to still secure victories will likely start again on Wednesday. Johansson has allowed four or more goals in eight of his last nine outings, posting a wretched .867 SV%, but has still salvaged a winning 4-3-2 record. Tampa Bay has even -105 betting odds on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, who have been scoring at an impressive clip, tallying at least five goals in five of their last seven games (6-1-0).

Mitchell will take the place of Kevin Shattenkirk alongside Derek Forbort on the Bruins' third pair. Mitchell has no goals and two assists in seven games with the Bruins this season.

Cirelli will return to the Lightning lineup on Monday after missing Saturday's game due to an undisclosed injury. The 26-year-old has just two goals and five assists in 16 games on the season. He is expected to resume his role centering Steven Stamkos and Nick Paul on Tampa Bay's second line.

The Lightning's interim starting netminder will make his sixth consecutive start on Monday as Tampa plays host to the Bruins. Johansson was busy in his last appearance, stopping 39 of the 43 shots on Saturday enroute to a 6-4 victory over the Oilers. Johansson has been inconsistent at best this season, with an .896 SV% and a 3.40 GAA to show for it. He draws a difficult matchup on home ice tonight with the Lightning being +120 underdogs to the Bruins.

Johansson will start his fifth-straight contest Saturday after winning his last start in a 12-save effort (.857 SV%) over Chicago. The 28-year-old has struggled while trying to hold down the fort in Andrei Vasilevskiy's absence (injury), with his 6-4-4 record, .895 SV%, and 3.36 GAA. He takes on the Edmonton Oilers for a matinee matchup, who have won three-straight and are fifth in the NHL in shots per game (33.8).

Merela played 14 of 17 games for the Lightning this season, averaging 10:35 time-on-ice ice, registering 16 shots on goal, and failing to record a point. The Finnish forward played predominantly on the fourth line with Luke Glendenning and Austin Watson.

Cirelli exited the game in the second period after taking a shot off his arm and did not return. Cirelli has two goals and five assists in 17 games with the Lightning this season. We should expect to receive an update on Cirelli's injury and a possible timeline for his recovery in the coming days.