Chaffee was returned to Syracuse (AHL) for the All-Star break but has been deservedly returned to Tampa Bay on Monday. The 26-year-old had only appeared in two NHL games previous to this season and picked up his first career points on January 25th, 2024 this season. Through three games and only 8:25 average TOI he has a goal and an assist to go along with his +1 plus/minus.
Girgensons exited Wednesday's 5-3 victory against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period with an upper-body injury after playing only 1:01 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Girgensons has four points (4G / 0A) in 31 games. The Sabres next game is on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks but he is considered day-to-day for the time being.
Chaffee has not played since December 12th, when he registered two hits in 6:56 time-on-ice. He will likely line up on the fourth line with Luke Glendenning and Waltteri Merela.
Vasilevskiy has won five of his last six contests and will return to the crease for the third straight game on Thursday night. Vasilevskiy has struggled since returning from off-season back surgery in November but is amid a favourable stretch of play, allowing three or fewer goals in six straight (5-1-0), posting a serviceable .919 SV%. The Lightning has a favourable matchup as -206 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club that played last night, losing 6-2 to the Florida Panthers.
Chaffee went pointless in his only game with the Lightning this season, though he remains productive for Syracuse (AHL). He has 11 goals and 14 assists in 33 AHL games this season.
Merela will be the odd-man out on Tuesday as the Lightning are opting to dress seven defensemen. He has just one goal and no assists in 17 games this season.
Vasilevskiy will look to stay in form on Tuesday as the Lightning will opt to have their workhorse between the pipes when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers. After a rocky start to his 2023-24 season, Vasilevskiy has found his groove of late. The 2018-19 Vezina Trophy Winner is 4-1-0 over his last five starts, posting a .921 SV% over that span. He's in a good spot to keep things rolling on Tuesday with the Lightning being slight favourites at -115 in Philadelphia.
Cernak is nearing a return but will not be rushed back into the lineup as he continues his recovery from an upper-body injury. Cernak has five points (0G / 5A), 90 hits, and 62 blocks in 39 games this season.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Wild on Thursday. Vasilevskiy has now won four straight starts, posting a .914 SV% in the process. Tonight he will face the Red Wings in Detroit, Vasilevskiy has had a tough time on the road so far this season, going 5-6-0 with a 3.38 GAA and .885 SV%.
Gourde committed the hit in the third period of Thursday's game in Edmonton. Gourde was issued a five-minute major penalty for charging on the play. He will be eligible to return to the Kraken lineup for next Friday's game in St. Louis.
Merela will take the place of the scratched Alex Barre-Boulet. Merela is yet to register a point in 14 games this season.
Vasilevskiy will start for the seventh straight game and look to extend his winning streak to four games on Thursday night. After a disastrous performance on January 6th, allowing six goals on 26 shots (.769 SV%) in a 7-3 loss to the Boston Bruins, Vasilevskiy has responded admirably, winning three straight and posting a respectable .917 SV%. Tampa Bay is a -134 home favourite against the Minnesota Wild, who defeated the New York Islanders 5-0 in their last contest.
Vasilevskiy will likely start for the seventh straight game and look to extend his winning streak to four games on Thursday night. After a disastrous performance on January 6th, allowing six goals on 26 shots (.769 SV%) in a 7-3 loss to the Boston Bruins, Vasilevskiy has responded admirably, winning three straight and posting a respectable .917 SV%. Tampa Bay is a -134 home favourite against the Minnesota Wild, who defeated the New York Islanders 5-0 in their last contest.
Crozier was recalled along with fellow defender Philippe Myers on Tuesday, but with Tampa Bay off until Thursday, it is unclear how or if they will decide to utilize them in their lineup. Crozier made his NHL debut in the last Lightning game, playing 13:00 time-on-ice.
This very well could just be a paper transaction as the Lightning are off until Thursday. We'll get a better sense of how they'll lineup for that game against the Wild when they return to practice on Tuesday.
This very well could just be a paper transaction as the Lightning are off until Thursday. We'll get a better sense of how they'll lineup for that game against the Wild when they return to practice on Tuesday.
