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Tampa Bay Lightning News

Johansson is in the starter's crease at Tampa Bay's morning skate.

Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) was back at practice on Monday, seemingly nearing a return from injury, but Johansson will continue his reign of the Lightning crease during his absence. The 30-year-old Johansson has been reliable while starting six straight (2-3-1), posting a solid 2.25 GAA and .916 SV%. He has a 2.59 GAA and .904 SV% in 14 appearances (7-5-1) and is playing well above his career-average 3.30 GAA and .890 SV% from 80 games (32-26-12) heading into the season. Tampa Bay enters Monday's contest as -132 home favorites against a Florida Panthers team coming off a dominant 4-0 win over the Dallas Stars.

Jonas Johansson
Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) has a chance to return on Monday vs. Florida after practicing on Friday.

Tampa Bay has gone 2-3-0 in five games without Vasilevskiy and will be eager for the All Star netminder to return to the crease. Before his injury, the 31-year-old Vasilevskiy was putting together a season worth of Vezina Trophy consideration, posting a 2.31 GAA and .916 SV% in 19 games (11-6-2).

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Hedman will have elbow surgery and is expected to return for the Olympic break in February.

Hedman has already missed 13 games due to injuries this season, and will be sidelined for the next several weeks. He recently returned from a one month absence and played three games before resurfacing on Injured Reserve. The 34-year-old Norris Trophy winner has clearly not been at his best this season, as evidenced by his low shot totals: averaging only 1.4 shots per game, a full shot less than the 2.4 he averaged over the previous decade. He has 12 points (0G / 12A) in 18 games this season.

Victor Hedman
Hagel (undisclosed) is not practicing on Friday after leaving Thursday’s game vs. New Jersey early.

Hagel scored two points (1G / 1A) in Thursday's 8-4 win over the New Jersey Devils, but exited the game in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. Tampa Bay has faced a variety of injuries this season and hopes that Hagel's ailment is not a prolonged one. The 27-year-old Hagel is pacing for another point-per-game season, with 31 points (18G / 13A) through 30 games.

Brandon Hagel
Johansson will start in New Jersey on Thursday.

With Andrei Vasilevskiy still considered day-to-day with an injury. Jonas Johansson will take over Tampa Bay's crease for a fifth straight start as they head to New Jersey on Thursday. The 30-year-old back up netminder has filled in admirably in Vasilevskiy's absence, with his 6-5-0 record, 2.53 GAA And .907 SV%. He will head to New Jersey to take on the Devils on Thursday, who snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over Ottawa their last time out on Tuesday.

Jonas Johansson
Hedman (undisclosed) has been placed on IR.

Hedman has already missed 12 games due to injuries this season, and will return to the sidelines for at least a week, if not more, after surfacing on Injured Reserve on Thursday. The 34-year-old Norris Trophy winner has clearly not been at his best this season, as evidenced by his low shot totals: averaging only 1.4 shots per game, a full shot less than the 2.4 he averaged over the previous decade. He has 12 points (0G / 12A) in 18 games this season.

Victor Hedman
Johansson will start in Montreal on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay will opt to roll with Johansson between pipes on consecutive nights instead of relying on the inexperienced Brandon Halverson, with Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) on Injured Reserve. The 30-year-old Johansson played well last night, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 2-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Johansson has a 2.68 GAA and .901 SV% in 11 games this season (5-5-0).

Jonas Johansson
Johansson is expected to start vs. Montreal on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay will likely opt to roll with Johansson between pipes on consecutive nights instead of relying on the inexperienced Brandon Halverson, with Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) on Injured Reserve. The 30-year-old Johansson played well last night, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 2-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Johansson has a 2.68 GAA and .901 SV% in 11 games this season (5-5-0).

Jonas Johansson