Tampa Bay Lightning News

Atkinson will slot in for Darren Raddysh, as the Lightning will return to dressing 12 forwards. Mitchell Chaffee will also slot in for Nikita Kucherov (illness).

Chaffee will get the chance to immediately draw back into the Lightning lineup on Thursday as Nikita Kucherov (illness) is unavailable. Cam Atkinson will also slot in for Darren Raddysh.

Raddysh will take a seat as the Lightning opt to dress just six defencemen on Thursday. Mitchell Chaffee draws back into the lineup while Cam Atkinson will also slot in for Nikita Kucherov (illness).

Kucherov did not play for the entirety of the third period in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and it appears he will miss Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 31-year-old Kucherov remains among the league leaders with 92 points (28G / 64A) in 61 games this season. That said, the elite forward has been held off the scoresheet in two straight games for only the second time this season.

Tampa Bay has been outscored 8-1 in their previous two games (0-2-0) and will attempt to change their fortunes on Thursday, turning to Johansson between the pipes against the Philadelphia Flyers. Johansson was excellent in his previous outing, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old goalie has a 3.15 GAA and .896 SV% in 14 games (7-5-1) this season. Tampa Bay enters the action on Thursday as -148 road favorites against a Flyers squad amid a five-game losing skid (0-5-0).

Kucherov did not play for the entirety of the third period in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and his status for Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers remains up in the air due to an illness. The 31-year-old Kucherov remains among the league leaders with 92 points (28G / 64A) in 61 games this season. That said, the elite forward has been held off the scoresheet in two straight games for only the second time this season.

Tampa Bay has been outscored 8-1 in their previous two games (0-2-0) and will attempt to change their fortunes on Thursday, likely turning to Johansson between the pipes against the Philadelphia Flyers. Johansson was excellent in his previous outing, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old goalie has a 3.15 GAA and .896 SV% in 14 games (7-5-1) this season. Tampa Bay enters the action on Thursday as -148 road favorites against a Flyers squad amid a five-game losing skid (0-5-0).

Atkinson cleared waivers last week and reported to the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) but has not yet played a game with the club. The 35-year-old Atkinson has eight points (3G / 5A) in 37 games with the Lightning this season.

Chaffee will take a seat on Tuesday as the Lightning opt to dress seven defencemen. Victor Hedman (undisclosed) will draw back into the lineup in his place.

Hedman is set to return to the Lightning lineup on Tuesday after being a late scratch for Saturday's game due to an undisclosed ailment. The 34-year-old Hedman is averaging 23:05 time-on-ice, recording 50 points (11G / 39A), 141 shots, and 104 blocks in 6 games this season.

Hedman participated in warmups for Tampa Bay on Saturday but was a late scratch due to an undisclosed ailment. The 34-year-old Hedman is averaging 23:05 time-on-ice, recording 50 points (11G / 39A), 141 shots, and 104 blocks in 6 games this season.

Tampa Bay is coming off a disappointing 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins when Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%). They will attempt to rebound, rolling with Vasilevskiy between the pipes against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old Vasilevskiy has a 2.25 GAA and .920 SV% in 50 games this season (30-17-3). Tampa Bay enters Tuesday's contest as +119 road underdogs against a Carolina team coming off a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.

Hedman participated in warmups for Tampa Bay on Saturday but was a late scratch due to an undisclosed ailment. The 34-year-old Hedman is averaging 23:05 time-on-ice, recording 50 points (11G / 39A), 141 shots, and 104 blocks in 6 games this season.

The red-hot Lightning have won nine of their last 10 (9-1-0) and will turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Vasilevskiy was solid in his most recent outing despite being on the wrong end of a 2-1 score, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) against the Florida Panthers. The 30-year-old netminder has been tremendous lately, posting an absurd 1.60 GAA and .948 SV% in his last 12 contests (9-2-1). Tampa Bay enters Thursday's contest as sizeable -242 home favorites against a Sabres squad amid a four-game losing skid (0-3-1).

After being acquired in a trade on Wednesday, Oliver Bjorstrand is expected to make his Lightning' debut on Thursday vs. Buffalo. When the 29-year-old takes the ice on Thursday, he will wear his third different NHL jersey in his 10th NHL season. He had 16 goals, 37 points and 124 SOG in 61 games with Seattle before being moved to Tampa Bay.

Gourde was acquired by Tampa Bay in a massive deal with Seattle and Detroit and is expected to make his return to the Lightning lineup on Thursday vs. Buffalo. The 33-year-old two-way forward spent the first six seasons of his NHL career in Tampa Bay before being acquired by Seattle during their expansion draft.