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.
Hagel scored a goal in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens but exited the game after playing 15:47 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury. He has six points (1G / 5A) during a four-game point streak.
Cirelli managed to record two assists before exiting 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.
On the front end of a back-to-back, Tampa Bay will roll with Vasilevskiy between the pipes for the fourth straight game. Vasilevskiy has allowed three or fewer goals in four of his last five (3-2-0), but it was not enough in his last outing, saving 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Tampa Bay enters action on Wednesday as a +106 road underdog against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
On the front end of a back-to-back, Tampa Bay will roll with Vasilevskiy between the pipes for the fourth straight game. Vasilevskiy has allowed three or fewer goals in four of his last five (3-2-0), but it was not enough in his last outing, saving 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Tampa Bay enters action on Wednesday as a +106 road underdog against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Cernak was held out of the lineup on Saturday due to missing a team meeting but will return to the ice on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. Haydn Fleury will exit the lineup, allowing Cernak to make his return.
Tampa Bay will turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes for the 13th time in the last 14 games. Vasilevskiy has been stellar lately, allowing only one goal in three of his last four outings (3-1-0), including saving 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Saturday. Tampa Bay enters action as -184 home favourites against a Detroit Red Wings club coming off a 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers.
Johansson is battling a lower-body injury, making his status uncertain for Monday's contest against the Detroit Red Wings. That said, Johansson has only played once in the last 13 games and was unlikely to see any immediate action between the pipes.
