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Tampa Bay Lightning News

Vasilevskiy will start against the Wild on Thursday.

In their sixth game of the season, Tampa Bay turned to Jonas Johansson between the pipes for the first time but will return to Vasilevskiy on Thursday night for their seventh game. After winning his first three outings, saving 68 of 73 shots (.932 SV%), Vasilevskiy has dropped two straight, allowing a troubling nine goals on 42 shots (.786 SV%). That said, Tampa Bay enters action on Thursday as a -145 home favorite against a Minnesota Wild club that has yet to lose in regulation (4-0-2).

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy was the first goalie off the ice at Tampa Bay's morning skate.

In their sixth game of the season, Tampa Bay turned to Jonas Johansson between the pipes for the first time but will likely return to Vasilevskiy on Thursday night for their seventh game. After winning his first three outings, saving 68 of 73 shots (.932 SV%), Vasilevskiy has dropped two straight, allowing a troubling nine goals on 42 shots (.786 SV%). That said, Tampa Bay enters action on Thursday as a -145 home favorite against a Minnesota Wild club that has yet to lose in regulation (4-0-2).

Andrei Vasilevskiy
The Maple Leafs have sent Dennis Hildeby to Toronto (AHL).

Hildeby was called up prior to the season-opening game for the Maple Leafs after Joseph Woll went out of the lineup with a lower-body injury. The 23-year-old Hildeby was limited to action in back-to-back contests, posting mixed results with a 4.03 GAA and .869 SV% in two outings (1-1-0).

Dennis Hildeby
Johansson will start on Tuesday in New Jersey.

Despite entering last night's 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in relief of Andrei Vasilevskiy, Johansson will start between the pipes on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils. The 29-year-old Johansson saved 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in yesterday's relief appearance, his first action of the season. Tampa Bay enters Tuesday night's contest against the New Jersey Devils as +136 road underdogs.

Jonas Johansson
Hildeby will start on Tuesday in Columbus.

On the back end of a back-to-back, with Joseph Woll (lower body) not ready to make his return, the Maple Leafs will turn to Hildeby for his second start of the season. The 23-year-old Hildeby played the back end of a back-to-back earlier this season and recorded a victory, posting a solid 2.02 GAA and .913 SV%. The Maple Leafs enter action on Tuesday as -192 road favorites against a Columbus Blue Jackets with a 2-3-0 record.

Dennis Hildeby
Vasilevskiy will start in Toronto on Monday.

Tampa Bay will turn to Vasilevskiy for the fifth time in five games to start the 2024-25 season. The 30-year-old former Vezina-trophy winner was stellar in his first two games (2-0-0), saving 46 of 48 shots (.958 SV%), before faltering in his last two (1-1-0), allowing eight goals on 53 shots (.849 SV%). Tampa Bay enters Monday night's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs as +127 road underdogs. That said, Vasilevskiy has been terrific in his career against the Maple Leafs, posting a 2.50 GAA and .921 SV% in 27 outings (15-10-2).

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy was the first goalie off the ice at Tampa Bay's morning skate.

Tampa Bay will likely turn to Vasilevskiy for the fifth time in five games to start the 2024-25 season. The 30-year-old former Vezina-trophy winner was stellar in his first two games (2-0-0), saving 46 of 48 shots (.958 SV%), before faltering in his last two (1-1-0), allowing eight goals on 53 shots (.849 SV%). Tampa Bay enters Monday night's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs as +127 road underdogs. That said, Vasilevskiy has been terrific in his career against the Maple Leafs, posting a 2.50 GAA and .921 SV% in 27 outings (15-10-2).

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy will start against the Golden Knights on Thursday.

Tampa Bay will continue to roll with Vasilevskiy in net for their third game to start the season. After a pedestrian 2023-24 campaign when he posted a 2.90 GAA and .900 SV% in 52 games (30-20-2), the former Vezina-trophy winner seems to have found his elite form early in the season, boasting a stellar 1.00 GAA and .958 SV% through two games (2-0-0). Tampa Bay enters action on Thursday as a -137 home favorite against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy was they first goalie off the ice at Tampa Bay's morning skate.

Tampa Bay will likely continue to roll with Vasilevskiy in net for their third game to start the season. After a pedestrian 2023-24 campaign when he posted a 2.90 GAA and .900 SV% in 52 games (30-20-2), the former Vezina-trophy winner seems to have found his elite form early in the season, boasting a stellar 1.00 GAA and .958 SV% through two games (2-0-0). Tampa Bay enters action on Thursday as a -137 home favorite against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Sogaard has been recalled from Belleville (AHL).

Sogaard's second call-up this week might indicate that Linus Ullmark (muscle strain) is not ready to return to the crease yet. The 23-year-old Sogaard was a last-minute emergency call-up on Monday and opened the contest against the Los Angeles Kings by backing up Anton Forsberg. Sogaard entered in relief of Forsberg midway through the game and allowed four goals on 17 shots (.765 SV%) but salvaged an 8-7 overtime victory.

Mads Sogaard
Sogaard has been loaned to the Belleville Senators (AHL).

Sogaard was a last-minute emergency call-up on Monday and opened the contest against the Los Angeles Kings by backing up Anton Forsberg. Sogaard entered in relief of Forsberg midway through the game and allowed four goals on 17 shots (.765 SV%) but salvaged an 8-7 overtime victory. His reassignment to Belleville (AHL) indicates that Linus Ullmark (strain) is likely nearing his return from a one-game absence.

Mads Sogaard
Vasilevskiy will start on Tuesday vs. Vancouver.

Tampa Bay has only played one game so far this season due to a postponed contest last week and will return to Vasilevskiy, their game-one starter, on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks. Vasilevskiy is coming off the worst season of his career, posting a 2.90 GAA and .900 SV% in 52 appearances in 2023-24 (30-20-2), but was stellar in his first contest this season, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Lightning enter Tuesday's action against the Canucks as -129 home favorites.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Sogaard has been recalled from Belleville (AHL) on an emergency basis.

Despite Senators head coach Travis Green referring to Linus Ullmark's absence from practice on Sunday as a "maintenance day," Sogard was recalled from the Belleville Senators (AHL) on an emergency basis. The 23-year-old Sogard was off to a terrific start with Belleville, posting a 0.92 GAA and .964 SV% after one game (1-0-0). That said, if Ullmark is unable to play, Ottawa will likely turn to Anton Forsberg between the pipes on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings.

Mads Sogaard
Vasilevskiy will start the Lightning's season opener in Carolina on Friday.

The Lightning will unsurprisingly turn to their franchise netminder for their season opener on Friday night. Vasilevskiy was uncharacteristically mediocre in 2023-24, though an early season back injury could be to blame. He posted a .900 SV%, a 2.90 GAA, and a 30-20-2 record across 52 starts. He'll be looking to regain his Vezina caliber form this season, but he draws a tough assignment on opening night. The Lightning enter action as +125 underdogs in Carolina.

Andrei Vasilevskiy