Tampa Bay Lightning News

With Andrei Vasilevskiy nearing his return, Johansson's reign as the starting goalie for the Lightning seems to be coming to an end, and not a second too early, as the Swedish goaltender has struggled lately. In his last five games (1-2-2), Johansson has allowed at least four goals in each and posted an ugly .861 SV%. The Lightning are -123 favourites on Tuesday but are facing a St. Louis Blues team that has outscored their opposition 10-3 during a two-game winning streak.

Cernak left the Lightning's last game vs. Carolina after 13 shifts and 9:57 TOI due to an undisclosed injury and will not play Tuesday vs. St. Louis. The 26-year-old stay-at-home defender has three assists, 11 SOG, six PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 15 games played prior to his injury. He will be replaced by Philippe Myers on Tampa's third defensive pairing.

Vasilevskiy seems to be on pace for his scheduled return as he is 6.5 weeks into his original 8-10 week prognosis after undergoing back surgery late in September. With their Vezina-winning backstop sidelined, the Lightning have salvaged a 6-5-4 record, primarily playing in front of journeyman goaltender Jonas Johansson.

Kucherov was a full participant at practice after missing the team's last game with an illness. As has become expected over the last several seasons, Kucherov is among the league leaders in points, ranking third with 23 (11G / 12A) in 14 games this season and could be an option to return to action on Tuesday.

Johansson will return to the crease on Thursday after watching Matt Tomkins tend the twine on Tuesday. Johansson has done an admirable job filling in for Andrei Vasilevskiy but after recording consecutive shutouts, has struggled of late, allowing at least four goals in each of his last three games (1-0-2), posting a .867 SV%. That said, the Lightning have a favourable matchup as -229 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that scores the third-fewest goals in the league (2.36 GF / GP).

Johansson will likely return to the crease on Thursday after watching Matt Tomkins tend the twine on Tuesday. Johansson has done an admirable job filling in for Andrei Vasilevskiy but after recording consecutive shutouts, has struggled of late, allowing at least four goals in each of his last three games (1-0-2), posting a .867 SV%. That said, the Lightning have a favourable matchup as -229 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that scores the third-fewest goals in the league (2.36 GF / GP).

Sheary played only one shift on Tuesday, 35 seconds, before exiting the game with an upper-body injury and subsequently being placed on the injured reserve. In 13 games with the Lightning this season, Sheary had three points (1G / 2A) and 14 shots on goal. Waltteri Merela, who has already played 10 games with Tampa Bay this season, was recalled from Syracuse (AHL).

Merela had zero points, 12 shots, and 10 hits through 10 games with the Lightning this year before being sent down to Syracuse (AHL) earlier this week. He has now been recalled as Conor Sheary suffered an upper-body injury on Tuesday and has been placed on the injured reserve.

Sheary logged just 35 seconds of ice-time on Tuesday before suffering the injury. The 31-year-old has one goal and two assists to his name through his first 12 games of the season. Look for Austin Watson to take Sheary's place in the Lightning lineup if he's unavailable for Thursday's game against Chicago.

Zach Bogosian will take Perbix's place as the Lightning do a bit of lineup rotation for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Perbix has registered three assists, 16 blocked shots, and five hits across 11 games this season.

With the Lightning playing their second game in as many nights, Tomkins will relieve temporary starter Jonas Johansson between the pipes on Tuesday. It's the third start of the year for the 29-year-old rookie who spent the last two seasons in the Swedish Hockey League. Tomkins will be looking for his first win of the season and will be hoping to improve on his .891 SV% and 3.61 GAA. He and the Lightning are slight road favourites at -130 over the Canadiens.

Johansson has been a workhorse for the Lightning with Andrei Vasilevskiy sidelined, starting nine of 11 games thus far, and will be the starter on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Expectations were low for Johansson coming into the season with a career average of 3.35 GAA and .886 SV% but has been a marvel between the pipes for the Lightning, posting a 2.87 GAA and .916 SV% in nine games (5-1-3). Johansson was busy in his only other matchup against the Maple Leafs this season, saving 48 of 52 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss on October 21st. The Lightning are +138 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs team that has lost four consecutive games (0-2-2), being outscored 16-9.

Johansson has been a workhorse for the Lightning with Andrei Vasilevskiy sidelined, starting nine of 11 games thus far, and appears to be the starter on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Expectations were low for Johansson coming into the season with a career average of 3.35 GAA and .886 SV% but has been a marvel between the pipes for the Lightning, posting a 2.87 GAA and .916 SV% in nine games (5-1-3). Johansson was busy in his only other matchup against the Maple Leafs this season, saving 48 of 52 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss on October 21st. The Lightning are +138 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs team that has lost four consecutive games (0-2-2), being outscored 16-9.