Point was not expected to be ready for the season opener, but he was a full participant in Monday’s practice and centred the top-line with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. This doesn’t necessarily mean Point will be ready for Thursday, but the possibility of him playing is looking more and more likely.
Sheary didn’t play in Saturday’s preseason finale and missed Sunday’s practice as well. Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger said that Sheary skated on his own before practice, but his absence over the weekend clouds his status for Thursday’s season opener.
Point underwent hip surgery in the offseason and is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2019-20 season. Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said he expects his second-line centre to return in late-October.
Point is coming off of a breakout campaign, having scored 41 goals with 51 assists (92 points) in 79 games. Point can expect some regression in 2020, after shooting 21.5 percent last year but ranks tied for eighth in goals (73) and tied for 22nd in points (158) over the last two seasons.
Vasilevskiy had an excellent 2019 regular season, leading the NHL in wins (39), fourth in shutouts (6), sixth in SV% (.925) and ninth in GAA (2.40). Despite having a forgettable postseason, Vasilevskiy earned a much-deserved raise, becoming the third highest-paid netminder in the NHL. He should absolutely be one of the first goalies drafted this fall (if not the first).
Archibald set a career-high with 22 points (12G / 10A) in 68 games with the Coyotes last season. The 26-year-old winger will be a key part of the Oilers fourth line in 2020 but has very little offensive upside.
Philadelphia had their choice between three goalies, Elliott, Cam Talbot and Michal Neuvirth to be Carter Hart’s backup next season and it looks like Elliott will be the guy. The 34-year-old had a 2.96 GAA and .907 SV% last year but was limited by injuries to just 26 games.
Santini, who is a former second-round pick (2013), is a big (6-foot-2, 205 lbs) defensive-defenseman. The 24-year-old has just 21 points (5G / 16A) in 114 career NHL games but should be more than capable of eating up 15 minutes per night on the Predators third pairing.
Walcott was originally selected in the fifth round by the Rangers in 2014 but has been with the Lightning organization since 2015-16. Walcott appeared in just five AHL games this season, missing 71 with a shoulder injury that he suffered with the Lightning at the beginning of the 2018 preseason.
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Lightning’s 3-1 loss in Columbus in Game 3. It was Vasilevskiy’s best performance of the series but he has now allowed 11 goals on 82 shots (.866 SV%) through three games. The Lightning’s season is on the line tonight in Columbus so they will need Vasilevskiy to have his best showing of the playoffs
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Lightning’s 3-1 loss in Columbus in Game 3. It was Vasilevskiy’s best performance of the series but he has now allowed 11 goals on 82 shots (.866 SV%) through three games. The Lightning’s season is on the line tonight in Columbus so they will need Vasilevskiy to have his best showing of the playoffs.
The writing was on the wall for Hedman to miss Game 4 but he has now been downgraded to out by head coach Jon Cooper. Braydon Coburn will remain on the blueline with Hedman sidelined.
Even with the Lightning down 3-0 in Columbus, it doesn’t look like Hedman will be available for Game 4. With Hedman out in Game 3, Mikhail Sergachev played six more minutes (22:55) than he did in Game 2 and Ryan McDonagh led all defensemen with 23:00 TOI.
Hedman missed yesterday's practice and was listed as a game-time decision but will not play in Game 3 in Columbus. Braydon Coburn will draw into the Lightning lineup as they go to battle without Hedman or Nikita Kucherov.
Vasilevskiy surrendered five goals on 27 shots in the Lightning's 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets in Game 2. Vasilevskiy, who could win the Vezina this season, has had a rough start to the postseason, allowing nine goals on 53 shots (.830 SV%) so far. Things will not get any easier in Game 3 as the Lightning will be without Nikita Kucherov (suspension) and Victor Hedman (injury).
