Tampa Bay Lightning News

Tampa Bay will likely turn to Vasilevskiy between the pipes for a fourth straight game on Thursday night. The Vezina-winning netminder hasn't played to expectations this season and has allowed three or more goals in seven of his last eight starts (3-4-1) but saved 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. The Lightning are -148 home favourites against a Calgary Flames squad that has recently traded two of their opening-night top-four defenders, Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin.

Roelens is an undrafted 6'6 center iceman out of Quebec. The 21-year-old is in his fifth season in the QMJHL and has 62 points (25G / 37A) in 56 games with Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

Vasilevskiy will return to the crease on Thursday night for his 10th start in the last 11 games for the Lightning. Vasilevskiy has struggled immensely lately, allowing four or more goals in four of his last five outings (1-4-0), including allowing four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. That said, Tampa Bay enters action as a -157 home favourite against the Buffalo Sabres.

Vasilevskiy took a seat after seven straight starts for Tampa Bay's previous game vs. New Jersey but will return to the crease on Tuesday in Pennsylvania. The 29-year-old is having the worst statistical season of his historic 10-year career, with his 20-14-0 record, 2.95 GAA and .897 SV%. He will look to improve on his season numbers Tuesday as he takes on Philadelphia, who have lost four of their last five contests and have the last placed powerplay in the NHL at 13.2%.

Pouliot has played the last four games for the Stars, recording -1 plus/minus, three shots and three hits while averaging under 13 minutes per night. The 30-year-old Pouliot is no stranger to the NHL with 225 games under his belt but has spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign with Texas (AHL), tallying 31 points (8G / 23A) in 44 games.

Pouliot played the last three games for the Stars but will return to Texas (AHL), indicating that Jani Hakanpaa or Nils Lundkvist are ready to return from injuries. The 30-year-old Pouliot is no stranger to the NHL with 224 games under his belt but has spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign with Texas (AHL), tallying 31 points (8G / 23A) in 44 games.

Cernak was a surprise scratch for Thursday's game, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Calvin de Haan will play in Cernak's place.

Despite struggling recently, Vasilevskiy will return to the crease for the sixth straight game on Thursday. The Vezina-winning netminder has allowed 10 goals across his last two games (0-2-0), posting a horrendous .800 SV%. That said, Vasilevskiy and the Lightning have a favourable matchup on Thursday night as they are -191 home favourites against one of the league's lowest-scoring teams, the Washington Capitals (2.48 GF / GP).

Despite struggling recently, Vasilevskiy will return to the crease for the sixth straight game on Thursday. The Vezina-winning netminder has allowed 10 goals across his last two games (0-2-0), posting a horrendous .800 SV%. That said, Vasilevskiy and the Lightning have a favourable matchup on Thursday night as they are -191 home favourites against one of the league's lowest-scoring teams, the Washington Capitals (2.48 GF / GP).