Tampa Bay Lightning News

Vasilevskiy did not need to be spectacular in Tampa Bay's previous outing, saving 21 of 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild. The 31-year-old goalie has not been his dominant self lately, going 6-5-0 with a pedestrian 3.02 GAA and .886 SV% in 11 games (6-5-0) since the end of February. Tampa Bay, in a race for the top seed in the Atlantic Division, enters Thursday's contest as significant -296 home favourites against an offensively challenged Seattle Kraken team that has scored two or fewer goals in five of its last eight games (2-5-1).

Vasilevskiy did not need to be spectacular in Tampa Bay's previous outing, saving 21 of 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild. The 31-year-old goalie has not been his dominant self lately, going 6-5-0 with a pedestrian 3.02 GAA and .886 SV% in 11 games (6-5-0) since the end of February. Tampa Bay, in a race for the top seed in the Atlantic Division, enters Thursday's contest as significant -296 home favourites against an offensively challenged Seattle Kraken team that has scored two or fewer goals in five of its last eight games (2-5-1).

Hedman has already missed 37 games this season due to various injuries and will be sidelined indefinitely as he takes time away from the team to attend to personal matters. The 35-year-old Swedish defenseman has seen his role with Tampa Bay lessen this season, averaging a career-low 18:52 time-on-ice. His point production has dipped as well, with only 17 points (1G / 16A) through 33 games, as Darren Raddysh has emerged as the team's top offensive defenseman.

Bjorkstrand was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with his absence not being reported prior to warmups. Scott Sabourin will draw into the lineup in his place.

Sabourin was a surprise addition to Tampa's lineup, taking the place of the scratched Oliver Bjorkstrand. Sabourin will skate with Nick Paul and Corey Perry on the fourth line.

The Lightning will unsurprisingly turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes when they host the mighty Wild on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy secured his league-leading 33rd win of the season in his last start, turning away 25 of the 27 shots he faced in a 5-2 win in Edmonton on Saturday. The 31-year-old netminder owns a .913 SV% and 2.29 GAA across 48 appearances, and could well be on his way to collecting his second Vezina Trophy. Vasilevskiy and the Wild enter action on Tuesday at -165 on the money line.

Hedman did not play the final two periods of Thursday's 6-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks due to an illness. Tampa Bay Head Coach Jon Cooper said the team should provide an update on Hedman's status on Friday. The 35-year-old Hedman has just five points (1G / 4A) in 15 games since returning from an injury at the beginning of February.

Vasilevskiy will get the nod between the pipes for the 47th time this season when the Lightning travel to Vancouver on Thursday. The former Vezina Trophy winner secured his league-leading 31st victory of the season on Tuesday, stopping 16 of the 18 shots he faced in a 6-2 win in Seattle. Vasilevskiy boasts an impressive .913 SV% and 2.30 GAA on the season. He's a good bet to stay in the win column on Thursday, as the Lightning enter action at -330 on the money line.

Vasilevskiy will take to the ice for the 46th time this season when the Lightning travel to Seattle on Tuesday. The Vezina Trophy favourite was unfortunate not to come away with the victory in his last start, allowing just three goals on 34 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes on Sunday. Vasilevskiy leads the NHL with 30 wins on the season and owns a .913 SV% and 2.30 GAA. He's a good bet to get back in the win column on Tuesday, as the Lightning enter action at -190 on the money line.

Cernak has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on Sunday, missing two games, but should be ready to return to the lineup on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 17:57 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 77 blocks, and 81 hits in 43 games this season.