Kucherov did not play in two games for Tampa Bay over the weekend due to an illness, but he could be an option to return on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 32-year-old Kucherov is having another fantastic season, scoring 121 points (40G / 81A) in 67 games. He has 25 points (8G / 17A) in his last 11 games.
Steen was a seventh-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Norwegian forward is currently playing in Sweden, where he has 22 points (12G / 10A) in 52 games with Orebro HK (SweHL).
Sabourin will immediately exit the lineup after drawing in for Tuesday's game against the Wild. Oliver Bjorkstrand will dress in his place.
Vasilevskiy did not need to be spectacular in Tampa Bay's previous outing, saving 21 of 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild. The 31-year-old goalie has not been his dominant self lately, going 6-5-0 with a pedestrian 3.02 GAA and .886 SV% in 11 games (6-5-0) since the end of February. Tampa Bay, in a race for the top seed in the Atlantic Division, enters Thursday's contest as significant -296 home favourites against an offensively challenged Seattle Kraken team that has scored two or fewer goals in five of its last eight games (2-5-1).
Harkins suffered an upper-body injury early in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, exiting the game after only 2:05 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Harkins is averaging 9:35 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 44 games this season.
Vasilevskiy did not need to be spectacular in Tampa Bay's previous outing, saving 21 of 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild. The 31-year-old goalie has not been his dominant self lately, going 6-5-0 with a pedestrian 3.02 GAA and .886 SV% in 11 games (6-5-0) since the end of February. Tampa Bay, in a race for the top seed in the Atlantic Division, enters Thursday's contest as significant -296 home favourites against an offensively challenged Seattle Kraken team that has scored two or fewer goals in five of its last eight games (2-5-1).
Hedman has already missed 37 games this season due to various injuries and will be sidelined indefinitely as he takes time away from the team to attend to personal matters. The 35-year-old Swedish defenseman has seen his role with Tampa Bay lessen this season, averaging a career-low 18:52 time-on-ice. His point production has dipped as well, with only 17 points (1G / 16A) through 33 games, as Darren Raddysh has emerged as the team's top offensive defenseman.
The Maple Leafs recalled Hildeby from the Marlies (AHL) earlier this week for precautionary reasons, but Anthony Stolarz (upper body) did not end up missing any time, resulting in Hildeby's return to the AHL. The 24-year-old Hildeby was solid in a stint with the Maple Leafs earlier this season, posting a 2.84 GAA and .912 SV% in 19 appearances (5-6-4).
Harkins exiting Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the first period after only three shifts due to an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old bottom-six forward has eight points (3G / 5A) in 44 games this season.
Sabourin was a surprise addition to Tampa's lineup, taking the place of the scratched Oliver Bjorkstrand. Sabourin will skate with Nick Paul and Corey Perry on the fourth line.
The Lightning will unsurprisingly turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes when they host the mighty Wild on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy secured his league-leading 33rd win of the season in his last start, turning away 25 of the 27 shots he faced in a 5-2 win in Edmonton on Saturday. The 31-year-old netminder owns a .913 SV% and 2.29 GAA across 48 appearances, and could well be on his way to collecting his second Vezina Trophy. Vasilevskiy and the Wild enter action on Tuesday at -165 on the money line.
With Anthony Stolarz (upper body) suffering an injury during Saturday's pregame skate, the Maple Leafs have recalled Hildeby from the Marlies (AHL). The 24-year-old Hildeby was solid in a stint with the Maple Leafs earlier this season, posting a 2.84 GAA and .912 SV% in 19 appearances (5-6-4).
