Paul missed the last 10 games with an ankle injury but has been activated from IR and is expected to replace Vladislav Namestnikov in the lineup. Paul has scored six goals with seven assists (13 points) in 38 games this season.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Lightning's win in Anaheim last Friday. Since returning from their bye week, Vasilevskiy has gone 2-0-1 while stopping 87 of the 95 shots (.916 SV%) that he's faced. Tonight he faces a Vegas team that has lost six of their last nine (3-5-1) while averaging 2.67 goals per game.
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Lightning's win in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Vasilevskiy continues to play ridiculously well, winning 11 of his last 12 (11-0-1) while posting a 1.82 GAA, 942 SV% and two shutouts. He's a must-start regardless of the matchup but he's a top option in Anaheim. The Ducks are 5-7-1 while scoring just 2.46 goals per game since Christmas.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Lightning's overtime loss in Dallas on Monday. The loss snapped a 10-game winning streak for Vasilevskiy, who is now 11-4-2 with a 2.28 GAA and .926 SV% on the road this season. In his first start vs. the Kings, Vasilevskiy stopped 38 of 41 shots in a 4-3 shootout win (Jan.14).
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Lightning's overtime loss in Dallas on Monday. The loss snapped a 10-game winning streak for Vasilevskiy, who is now 11-4-2 with a 2.28 GAA and .926 SV% on the road this season. In his first start vs. the Kings, Vasilevskiy stopped 38 of 41 shots in a 4-3 shootout win (Jan.14).
Linus Ullmark left last night's game with a lower-body injury, so Johansson will get his first shot at the NHL-level. The 24-year-old, former third-round pick, has gone 13-3-3 with a 2.19 GAA and .925 SV% in 20 AHL games this season.
Sabourin was a healthy scratch last night vs. New Jersey but will replace Mikkel Boedker in the lineup in Buffalo. Sabourin has one goal, two assists and 17 PIMS in 16 games this season.
Vasilevskiy stopped 30 of 31 shots in the Lightning's win in Winnipeg on January 17th. Vasilevskiy is riding a 10-game winning streak, posting a sparkling 1.69 GAA, .946 SV% and two shutouts. In his first start against the Stars, Vasilevskiy allowed four goals on 20 shots in a 4-3 OT loss in mid-December.
Vasilevskiy stopped 30 of 31 shots in the Lightning's win in Winnipeg on January 17th. Vasilevskiy is riding a 10-game winning streak, posting a sparkling 1.69 GAA, .946 SV% and two shutouts. In his first start against the Stars, Vasilevskiy allowed four goals on 20 shots in a 4-3 OT loss in mid-December.
Bjorkstrand has missed the last 13 games but is set to return Sunday in New York. Bjorkstrand was red-hot before getting hurt, scoring six goals with two assists (eight points) in his last seven games. His shot volume has been extremely impressive as well, setting him up for a potentially huge second half of the season.
McDonagh missed the last six games with an upper-body injury but will play Thursday in Minnesota. McDonagh will be back on the second-pair next to Erik Cernak and comes in with one goal and 10 assists (11 points) in 40 games.
Sabourin has sat out of the last five games but will replace Rudolfs Balcers in the lineup on Thursday. Sabourin has one goal, two assists and 17 PIMS in 14 games this season.
Paul suffered a high ankle sprain last week and there isn't an exact timeline on his return, but head coach DJ Smith expects him to miss at least four weeks. Paul had just started to heat up, scoring three goals with one assist in his five games before getting hurt.
Vasilevskiy stopped all 23 shots that he faced in the Lightning’s shutout win in Philadelphia on Saturday. Curtis McElhinney started and lot in New Jersey on Sunday, so they’ll obviously come back to the red-hot Vasilevskiy tonight vs. the Kings. He has posted back-to-back shutouts and has won eight in a row while posting a 1.63 GAA and .946 SV%.
McDonagh has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury and will miss the Lightning's back-to-back on Saturday/Sunday. Brayden Coburn will remain in the Lightning lineup while McDonagh is out.
Paul was hurt midway through Tuesday's game in Washington and did not accompany the team to Detroit. With Paul out, Connor Brown is back in the Senators top-6 and Rudlofs Balcers will see some power-play time.
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Lightning's win over the Canucks on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy extended his winning streak to six games, posting a 2.17 GAA and .932 SV% in the process. Tonight he takes on a Coyotes team with their third-string netminder but also riding a four-game winning streak.
McDonagh will miss both games on the Lightning's short home-stand and is listed as "out indefinitely." Brayden Coburn is expected to remain in the lineup while McDonagh is sidelined.
