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Tampa Bay Lightning News

Vasilevskiy will start Game Four.

Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) in Tampa Bay’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens, and may need to elevate his game to help his team even the series at 2-2. The 31-year-old Vasilveskiy has been serviceable thus far, but has yet to show off his Vezina-calibre form, posting a 2.76 GAA and .880 SV% through three games (1-2). Tampa Bay enters Game Four as slight -107 road favourites.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy will start Game 3 in Montreal.

After a shaky performance in the opening game of the series, Vasilevskiy returned to form and guided the Lightning to a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 2, allowing just a pair of goals on 27 shots. With the victory, the Lightning matched their playoff win total from a season ago when they were eliminated by the Panthers five games into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Vasilevskiy and the Lightning remain slight favourites on the road as the series shifts back to Montreal, entering action tonight at -115 on the money line.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy will start Game 2 against the Canadiens.

Vasilevskiy will of course get the start in Game 2 on Tuesday as the Lightning look to even their series with the Habs at one game a piece. Vasilevskiy had a disappointing performance in Game 1's overtime loss, allowing four goals on just 19 shots. It was a continuation of a troubling playoff trend for the Lightning netminder, who owns a 4-8-4 record and an .882 SV% across his last three post-seasons. Vasilevskiy and the Lightning are the betting favourites on Tuesday despite the 1-0 series deficit, as they enter action at -180 on the money line.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Sabourin is expected to draw back into Tampa Bay's lineup for Game 2 vs. Montreal.

Tampa Bay will insert some physicality into its lineup in Game Two, with Sabourin drawing in for his postseason debut. The 33-year-old Sabourin recorded five points (1G / 4A), 63 hits, and 89 penalty minutes in 26 games this season. Conor Geekie will be a healthy scratch to accommodate the lineup change.

Scott Sabourin
Geekie is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 2 vs. Montreal.

Scott Sabourin will draw into Tampa Bay's lineup for Game Two on Tuesday, sending Geekie to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 21-year-old Geekie played 8:12 time-on-ice and recorded two penalty minutes in Game One. He had three points (1G / 2A) in 14 games this season.

Conor Geekie
Hedman (personal) is doubtful to return for Tampa Bay for their first round matchup vs. Montreal.

Hedman has not played in over a month and will likely remain sidelined for Tampa Bay's entire first-round playoff series. The 35-year-old Swedish defenseman has been plagued with injuries this year, playing a career-low 33 games and tallying a career-low 17 points (1G / 16A).

Victor Hedman