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Tampa Bay Lightning News

Vasilevskiy will start Thursday vs. New Jersey.

After allowing six goals on 26 shots (.769 SV%) in a 7-3 loss to the Boston Bruins, Vasilevskiy responded with a solid performance in his last outing, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. Despite salvaging a 6-6-0 record, Vasilevskiy has failed to record consecutive quality starts since December 4th and 6th, posting a .895 SV% in that stretch. Tampa Bay is a -150 home favourite on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils, who are without several star players, most notably Jack Hughes.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy will start against the Kings on Tuesday.

Vasilevskiy will get an immediate shot at redemption after suffering though one of his worst starts of the season on Saturday, surrendering six goals on just 26 shots enroute to a 7-3 defeat in Boston. Vasilevskiy is yet to fully return to form following since returning from back surgery in late November, posting an uncharacteristically poor .895 SV% and a 9-9-0 record on the season. Things won't get any easier on Tuesday as the Lightning find themselves as +110 home underdogs to the Kings.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy will start in Minnesota on Thursday.

Vasilevskiy will be hoping to snap a personal three-game losing streak when he tends the twine for the Lightning on Thursday. The 2018-19 Vezina Trophy winner has endured a rocky season since returning from injury, posting a .900 SV% and a 2.94 GAA across 16 appearances. He's been particularly poor of late, allowing 11 goals on just 79 shots (.861 SV%) across that three-game slide. Despite his struggles, he's a decent bet to get back into the win column on Thursday with the Lightning being -125 favourites in Minnesota.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Holmberg will draw into the Leafs' lineup on Wednesday.

With Toronto playing their second game in as many nights when they travel to Anaheim on Wednesday, Sheldon Keefe is opting to get a pair of fresh legs into the lineup as Holmberg will draw in while Nick Robertson is expected to be a healthy scratch. Holmberg has no goals and one assist in nine games this season.

Pontus Holmberg
Vasilevskiy will start in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Vasilevskiy had the night off on New Year's Eve but will return to the crease for the Lightning for his 10th start in their last 11 games. Vasilevskiy has allowed eight goals on 52 shots (.846 SV%) in his last two games (2-0-0) but was tremendous in his previous nine (7-2-0), posting a stellar .925 SV%. Tampa Bay is a +122 road underdog against the Winnipeg Jets, who have points in eight straight games (6-0-2).

Andrei Vasilevskiy