Crozier will take a seat on Thursday as Nick Perbix and Tanner Jeannot draw back into the Lightning lineup. Calvin de Haan will also draw out and join Crozier as a healthy scratch.
Unsurprisingly, the Lightning have no desire to make any sort of change in goal despite being down 2-0 in the series, as they will once again roll with Vasilevskiy between the pipes. Vasilevskiy performed well in Games 1 and 2 despite coming out on the losing side in both instances, allowing just five goals on 64 shots (.922 SV%) across the two contests. The Lightning are actually slight favourites at home tonight despite the 2-0 series deficit, as they enter action at -115 on Thursday.
After sitting out Game 1 as a healthy scratch, Crozier will get a chance to play in Game 2 against the Panthers on Tuesday as the Lightning are opting to dress seven defensemen. A 24-year-old rookie, Crozier finished the 2023-24 regular season with no goals and two assists in 13 games.
Unsurprisingly, the Lightning will turn right back to Vasilevskiy as they look to rebound in Game 2 of their series against the Panthers. The former Vezina Trophy winner was unfortunate to come out on the losing end of Game 1. He allowed just two goals on 27 shots in the 3-2 defeat. Vasilevskiy and the Lightning enter action tonight as slight underdogs at +135 as they hope to even the series before heading back home for Game 3.
Fanti is an undrafted 24-year-old netminder who has yet to play in the NHL and only has nine games of AHL experience. In 17 games (9-6-2) with the Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL) this season, Fanti registered a 2.75 GAA and .915 SV%.
Vasilevskiy was a workhorse after making his season debut on November 24th. It was statistically the worst season of his career, as his 2.90 GAA and .900 SV% were the worst marks of his first 10 seasons. Despite the underwhelming splits, Vasilevskiy still won 30 of 52 games, making it the seventh straight season he's won 30-plus games. He struggled in the postseason last year but is 65-42 with a 2.37 GAA and .921 in 110 career playoff appearances.
Cirelli will draw out of the Lightning lineup on Wednesday as Tampa Bay opts to give him the night off ahead of their playoff run. Victor Hedman and Luke Glendening will join him in the press box tonight
Hedman will draw out of the Lightning lineup on Wednesday as Tampa Bay opts to give him the night off ahead of their playoff run. Anthony Cirelli and Luke Glendening will join him in the press box tonight
The Hurricanes play their final game of the season on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and have opted to rest a variety of their lineup regulars. Guentzel ends the 2023-24 campaign with 77 points (30G / 47A) in 67 games. The 29-year-old forward has been terrific since joining the Hurricanes at the trade deadline, including scoring 13 points in his last eight games.
Tampa Bay will attempt to snap a two-game losing skid on Monday night with Vasilevskiy between the pipes. Vasilevskiy has allowed four or more goals in two of his last three (1-2-0), including four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. Tampa Bay enters action on Monday as a -158 home favourite against the Buffalo Sabres.
McDonagh will sit for roster management purposes as the Predators look to get him some rest on the tail-end of their back-to-back. One of Dante Fabbro or Tyson Barrie will likely take his place in the lineup.
Girgensons did not play on Sunday due to an illness but is expected back in the lineup on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. The 30-year-old Girgensons has 13 points (8G / 5A) in 59 games this season.
Cirelli managed to record two assists before exiting last Thursday's 7-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens with an undisclosed injury after playing only 8:51 of ice time. Cirelli has been producing at an impressive rate lately, with seven points (4G / 3A) in his last six games.
Tampa Bay will turn to Vasilevskiy for his second straight game in a favourable matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Vasilevskiy has allowed one goal in three of his last five outings (3-2-0), but struggled in his last contest, allowing five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tampa Bay enters the action as a significant -332 home favourite.
