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Tampa Bay Lightning News

Hagel (upper-body) will not play against the Kings on Thursday.

Tampa Bay has faced a myriad of injuries to key players this season, with Hagel being the latest, suffering an upper-body injury that leaves him unavailable for Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 27-year-old Hagel is putting together another fantastic season with 31 points (18G / 13A) in 31 games. That said, he has been held off the scoresheet in five of his last six games.

Brandon Hagel
Vasilevskiy will start against the Kings on Thursday.

Vasilevskiy was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy has not played since December 2nd, but his team has treaded water without him, going 2-4-1 in seven games. Before his injury, Vasilevskiy was having a season worthy of Vezina consideration, posting a 2.31 GAA and .916 SV% in 19 games (11-6-2). The Lightning enter action on Thursday at -200 on the money line.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Hildeby will start in Washington on Thursday.

Joseph Woll played well in his return from a lower-body injury in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, but the Maple Leafs seem to be easing the often-injured netminder back into action, turning to Hildeby on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. The 24-year-old Hildeby struggled in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 32 shots (.813 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. That said, the Swedish netminder had been excellent between the pipes, posting a 1.85 GAA and .933 SV% in 10 games (3-4-3) before his blip against the Oilers. The Maple Leafs enter the action on Thursday as +135 road underdogs against a Capitals team that has been outscored 10-1 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Dennis Hildeby
Hagel (upper-body) will be a game-time decision vs. Los Angeles on Thursday.

Tampa Bay has faced a myriad of injuries to key players this season, with Hagel being the latest, suffering an upper-body injury that leaves him uncertain for Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 27-year-old Hagel is putting together another fantastic season with 31 points (18G / 13A) in 31 games. That said, he has been held off the scoresheet in five of his last six games.

Brandon Hagel
Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) is expected to return vs. Los Angeles on Thursday.

Vasilevskiy was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday and seems set to return on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy has not played since December 2nd, but his team has treaded water without him, going 2-4-1 in seven games. Before his injury, Vasilevskiy was having a season worthy of Vezina consideration, posting a 2.31 GAA and .916 SV% in 19 games (11-6-2).

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Hildeby is in the starter's crease at Toronto's morning skate.

Joseph Woll played well in his return from a lower-body injury in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, but the Maple Leafs seem to be easing the often-injured netminder back into action, turning to Hildeby on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. The 24-year-old Hildeby struggled in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 32 shots (.813 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. That said, the Swedish netminder had been excellent between the pipes, posting a 1.85 GAA and .933 SV% in 10 games (3-4-3) before his blip against the Oilers. The Maple Leafs enter the action on Thursday as +135 road underdogs against a Capitals team that has been outscored 10-1 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Dennis Hildeby