Tampa Bay has signed Scott Sabourin to a one-year, two-way contract extension.
Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA
Tampa Bay Lightning News
Tampa Bay has signed Nick Abruzzese to a one-year, two-way contract extension.
Abruzzese was a fourth-round pick, 124th overall, of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and has not yet been able to make the leap to the NHL level. The 26-year-old forward has played exclusively in the AHL since the 2022-23 season. He scored 51 points (15G / 36A) in 2025-26 in 56 games with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL).
Tampa Bay has signed Maxim Groshev to a two-year, two-way contract extension.
Groshev was drafted in the third round, 85th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old forward has spent most of the previous three seasons in the AHL, but made his NHL debut this season, recording one assist in two games with Tampa Bay.
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy will start in Game 7.
Last week, Vasilevskiy was named one of the three finalists for the Vezina trophy, but had yet to display his Vezina-calibre form this postseason. That said, his talent was on full display in a must-win Game Six, saving all 30 shots he faced in a 1-0 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens. He has a 2.20 GAA and .905 SV% in six games this postseason (3-3). Tampa Bay enters Game Seven as a -161 home favourite.
Crozier is listed as a scratch for Game 6.
Line Change
Geekie is listed as a healthy scratch for Game 6.
Paul (illness) is listed as active for Game 6.
D'Astous (undisclosed) is listed as active for Game 6.
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy led the Lightning onto the ice for warmups.
Vasilevskiy will be between the pipes for the Lightning when they aim to keep their season alive on Friday against the Canadiens. The former Conn Smythe winner allowed three goals on 24 shots in Game 5, as the Lightning suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat. Vasilevskiy and the Lightning enter action in Game 6 at -120 on the money line.
D'Astous (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Game 6.
D'Astous has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury in Game One on April 19th, but appears to be nearing a return and could be an option on Friday for Game Six. The 28-year-old defenseman was impressive in his first NHL season, averaging 18:45 time-on-ice and scoring 29 points (6G / 23A) in 70 games.
Paul (illness) will be a game-time decision for Game 6.
Paul was a surprise scratch on Wednesday in Game Five, with the Lightning not announcing his absence prior to warmups, and his status for Game Six on Friday remains uncertain. In four games this postseason, the 31-year-old Paul is averaging 10:43 time-on-ice and has a -2 plus/minus.
Hedman (personal) is "going to be an option really soon."
Hedman will not play in the Lightning's must-win Game 6 on Friday, but is expected to be available in the near future if they're able to stay alive in Montreal. Hedman has not played since March 19th.
Line Change
Geekie will draw into the Lightning lineup for Game 5 against the Canadiens.
Geekie will slot in for Nick Paul, who is a late scratch due to an undisclosed injury. It's the first appearance for Geekie since the opening game of the series, where he registered two penalty minutes and zero points in just over eight minutes of ice time.
Paul (undisclosed) will not play in Game 5 against the Canadiens.
Paul was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with the Lightning not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Conor Geekie will draw into the lineup in his place.
D'Astous (undisclosed) will not play against Montreal in Game 5.
D'Astous has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury in Game One on April 19th, but could be nearing a return to the lineup as he was a game-time decision on Wednesday in Game Five. The 28-year-old defenseman was impressive in his first NHL season, averaging 18:45 time-on-ice and scoring 29 points (6G / 23A) in 70 games.
Goalie Start
Vasilevskiy will start Game 5 vs. Montreal.
Earlier today, Vasilevskiy was named one of the three finalists for the Vezina trophy, but has yet to display his Vezina-calibre form this postseason. The 31-year-old goalie has an unspectacular 2.58 GAA and .882 SV% through four games (2-2-) in this first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens. Looking to take a 3-2 advantage in Game Five, Tampa Bay enters Wednesday's contest as a -154 home favourite.
D’Astous (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Game 5 vs. Montreal.
D'Astous has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury in Game One on April 19th, but he could return to the lineup on Wednesday in Game Five. The 28-year-old defenseman was impressive in his first NHL season, averaging 18:45 time-on-ice and scoring 29 points (6G / 23A) in 70 games.
Sabourin is expected to be a healthy scratch in Game Four.
Bjorkstand is expected to draw into the lineup in Game Four.
Goalie Start
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.