The Capitals are playing it safe with their star defenseman and have listed him as a game-time decision for Thursday. If he doesn't play, Dmitry Orlov will continue to quarterback the Capitals' top power-play unit.
Vasilevskiy will start the Lightning's first round-robin game after leading the NHL with 35 wins and posting a 2.56 GAA and .917 SV% in the regular season. As good as he was throughout the season, he struggled against the Capitals, giving up eight goals on 68 shots (.882 SV%) in two games.
Hedman stayed back in Tampa at first due to personal reasons but joined his teammates on Friday and practiced on Saturday. Head coach Jon Cooper said that Hedman "hasn't really skipped a beat," so he'll play in the first game of their round-robin schedule.
Carlson was nicked up in the Capitals' exhibition game but practiced returned to practice on Saturday. Given the fact that the Capitals are already locked into a playoff spot, they may play it safe with their star defenseman. Head coach Todd Reirden said that Carlson's status for Monday is still TBD, so consider him a game-time decision and check on his status during warmups.
The Tampa Bay Lightning entered the playoff bubble in Toronto on Sunday but Hedman remained in Tampa for a "personal matter." Hedman and Tampa's strength coach will stay back until Friday, at which point both will fly to Toronto and meet back up with the team. Hedman will miss Tampa Bay's exhibition game against the Panthers on Wednesday but will be available for all three round-robin games, general manager Julien BriseBois said.
Hagel was originally a sixth-round pick of the Sabres in 2016 but signed with Chicago in 2018. The 21-year-old will replace Drake Caggiula (hand) on the third line and comes up with 19 goals and 12 assists (31 points) in 59 AHL games this season.
Vasilevskiy gave up three goals on 38 shots in the Lightning's win in Boston on Saturday. He was given Sunday night off in Detroit, so look for Vasilevskiy to be back in the crease tonight in Toronto. He has gone 1-1-0 while giving up a combined seven goals on 51 shots (.863 SV%) in his first two starts against the Maple Leafs this season.
Hedman was on the ice for the Lightning's morning skate but will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury that he suffered in Boston on Saturday. However, his availability for the morning skate suggests he's close to playing, so monitor his status prior to Thursday's game vs. the Flyers.
Vasilevskiy gave up three goals on 38 shots in the Lightning's win in Boston on Saturday. He was given Sunday night off in Detroit, so look for Vasilevskiy to be back in the crease tonight in Toronto. He has gone 1-1-0 while giving up a combined seven goals on 51 shots (.863 SV%) in his first two starts against the Maple Leafs this season.
Hedman left Saturday's game in Boston with an undisclosed injury and is questionable to play tonight in Detroit. Head coach Jon Cooper did not have an update on Hedman's status postgame but said he'll be re-evaluated prior to Sunday's game. If Ryan McDonagh isn't ready to return, look for Luke Schenn to replace Hedman.
Vasilevskiy stopped all 32 shots that he faced in the Lightning's shutout win over the Canadiens on Thursday. Tonight he'll make his fourth straight start, having gone 2-1-0 with a 1.68 GAA and .943 SV% in the previous three--the loss coming against the Bruins, who he'll face again tonight. He is 2-1-0 with a 2.28 GAA and .931 SV% in his three starts against Boston this season.
Girgensons missed Friday's practice with a lower-body injury so his status for Saturday's game is in doubt. Michael Frolik will draw back into the lineup if Girgensons can't play.
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Lightning's loss to the Bruins on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy has gone 1-4-0 with a 4.27 GAA and .863 SV% in his last five starts and will make his 50th start of the season tonight vs. Montreal. He has gone 3-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .948 SV% in his first three games vs. the Canadiens this season.
Johansson allowed four goals on 30 shots in the Sabres loss in Arizona on Saturday. In his first four careers starts, Johansson has gone 1-2-1 with a 2.68 GAA and .899 SV%. Things don't get any easier tonight with the Penguins in town. They haven't been great on the road recently but are starting to get healthy and looked really dangerous Tuesday.
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Lightning's loss to the Bruins on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy has gone 1-4-0 with a 4.27 GAA and .863 SV% in his last five starts and will make his 50th start of the season tonight vs. Montreal. He has gone 3-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .948 SV% in his first three games vs. the Canadiens this season.
