Andrei Vasilevskiy News

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.

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.

Vasilevskiy seems to be on pace for his scheduled return as he is 6.5 weeks into his original 8-10 week prognosis after undergoing back surgery late in September. With their Vezina-winning backstop sidelined, the Lightning have salvaged a 6-5-4 record, primarily playing in front of journeyman goaltender Jonas Johansson.

Vasilevskiy has officially been placed on LTIR after having back surgery and is expected to miss approximately two months to start the season. Jonas Johansson has been appointed the starting goalie position for the Lightning in the interim and had a very impressive preseason, posting a 3-0-0 record along with a 2.10 GAA and .932 SV%.

Vasilevskiy enjoyed his longest off-season since 2018-19 due to the Lightning's first-round playoff exit in 2022-23 but has undergone successful back surgery and is now expected to miss 8-10 weeks as he recovers. The 29-year-old Vezina Winner failed to lead the NHL in wins for the first time in six seasons in 2022-23, as he went 34-22-4 with a .915 SV% and a 2.65 GAA in what was considered a down year by his standards. Jonas Johansson is currently lined up to take over the starting role while Vasilevskiy recovers.

Vasilevskiy allowed six goals on 37 shots (.838 SV%) to snap a three-game winning streak with a loss to the New York Rangers. The 28-year-old has been solid yet again this season as he nears his third career 60 GP season, with his 34-21-4 record, 2.63 GAA and .916 SV%. He takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have won three of their last four games and are ninth in the NHL in goals per game (3.39).

Vasilevskiy allowed six goals on 37 shots (.838 SV%) to snap a three-game winning streak with a loss to the New York Rangers. The 28-year-old has been solid yet again this season as he nears his third career 60 GP season, with his 34-21-4 record, 2.63 GAA and .916 SV%. He takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have won three of their last four games and are ninth in the NHL in goals per game (3.39).

Vasilevskiy was perfect in his last start, stopping 38 of 38 shots for his fourth shutout of the season as he blanked the New York Islanders for his third-straight win. The 28-year-old is top five in the NHL in victories for a sixth-straight season with his 34-20-4 record, 2.57 GAA and .918 SV%. He takes on the New York Rangers, who snapped a two-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over Washington last game.

Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 34 shots (.941 SV%) for his third-straight loss as he was downed by the Boston Bruins his last time between the pipes. The 28-year-old has been solid yet again this season, but will not lead the NHL in wins for a sixth-straight year as he has a 31-20-4 record, 2.69 GAA and .914 SV%. He will take on the Carolina Hurricanes, who have won three of their last five games and are third in the NHL in shots per game (34.8).