Tampa Bay Lightning News

Girgensons left the Sabres' game Friday vs. Pittsburgh after just 6:35 due to a lower-body injury and was placed on the injured reserve Saturday with expectations he is out week-to-week. The 29-year-old left-winger had two goals, 27 SOG, seven PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 20 games played prior to his injury.

Girgensons played just 6:35 TOI before leaving Friday's game vs. the Penguins. The Sabres already had to play with 11 forwards and seven defensemen last night, so expect them to make some call-ups if Girgensons and Jordan Greenway are unavailable.

Vasilevskiy will make his long-awaited season debut for Tampa Bay after undergoing back surgery in September. His return to the lineup lines up with his initial 8-10-week timeline. During his absence from the lineup, Jonas Johansson filled in as the starting goaltender, but the team will be excited to get their perennial Vezina candidate back in the lineup. The Lightning are +143 road underdogs on Friday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that has won two straight games, outscoring their opposition 10-5.

Vasilevskiy has yet to make an appearance in 2023-24 as he recovers from a back injury but is expected to be activated off the injured reserve Friday after Matt Tomkins was placed on waivers Thursday. The 29-year-old six-time NHL wins leader will make a welcome return to Tampa's roster, where he was 34-22-4 with a 2.65 GAA and .915 SV% in 60 GP in 2022-23.

Johansson has been abysmal lately, but due to a lack of options between the pipes for the Lightning and his ability to still secure victories will likely start again on Wednesday. Johansson has allowed four or more goals in eight of his last nine outings, posting a wretched .867 SV%, but has still salvaged a winning 4-3-2 record. Tampa Bay has even -105 betting odds on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, who have been scoring at an impressive clip, tallying at least five goals in five of their last seven games (6-1-0).

Vasilevskiy has not played this season after undergoing back surgery in September. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said Vasilevskiy might debut on the team's upcoming road trip, which would be right on cue with his original 8-10-week prognosis. Jonas Johansson has occupied the Lightning crease for the majority of Vasilevskiy's absence and, despite a recent decline in play, will likely continue to see a steady share of action while Vasilevskiy re-acclimates himself to game-action before taking his rightful place as the bonafide starting goalie.

Johansson has been abysmal lately, but due to a lack of options between the pipes for the Lightning and his ability to still secure victories will likely start again on Wednesday. Johansson has allowed four or more goals in eight of his last nine outings, posting a wretched .867 SV%, but has still salvaged a winning 4-3-2 record. Tampa Bay has even -105 betting odds on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, who have been scoring at an impressive clip, tallying at least five goals in five of their last seven games (6-1-0).

Harkins has four goals, five assists, 10 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 11 games played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and has been recalled for a second time this season Tuesday. The 26-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Penguins earlier this season and appeared in four games but failed to pick up any points.

Cirelli will return to the Lightning lineup on Monday after missing Saturday's game due to an undisclosed injury. The 26-year-old has just two goals and five assists in 16 games on the season. He is expected to resume his role centering Steven Stamkos and Nick Paul on Tampa Bay's second line.

The Lightning's interim starting netminder will make his sixth consecutive start on Monday as Tampa plays host to the Bruins. Johansson was busy in his last appearance, stopping 39 of the 43 shots on Saturday enroute to a 6-4 victory over the Oilers. Johansson has been inconsistent at best this season, with an .896 SV% and a 3.40 GAA to show for it. He draws a difficult matchup on home ice tonight with the Lightning being +120 underdogs to the Bruins.

Sogaard has been returned to the Belleville Senators of the AHL, where he has a 2.35 GAA and .923 SV% in eight games (4-3-0), after being called up to join Ottawa during the NHL Global Series in Sweden.

Johansson will start his fifth-straight contest Saturday after winning his last start in a 12-save effort (.857 SV%) over Chicago. The 28-year-old has struggled while trying to hold down the fort in Andrei Vasilevskiy's absence (injury), with his 6-4-4 record, .895 SV%, and 3.36 GAA. He takes on the Edmonton Oilers for a matinee matchup, who have won three-straight and are fifth in the NHL in shots per game (33.8).