Kucherov will not play on Thursday, missing a second straight game, but Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper is hopeful he will play on their upcoming three-game road trip. The 31-year-old Kucherov is among the league leaders with 34 points (12G / 22A) in 22 games this season.
Guentzel left practice early on Tuesday due to an undisclosed ailment. The 30-year-old Guentzel has been productive in his first season with Tampa Bay, scoring 22 points (10G / 12A) in 23 games.
Vasilevskiy will not dress on Friday, the front end of a back-to-back, as Johansson will start for Tampa Bay and be backed up by recently recalled Matt Tomkins. The 29-year-old Johansson has been limited to only four appearances this season (1-1-1) and has struggled when called upon, posting an ugly 5.22 GAA and .856 SV%. Tampa Bay enters Friday's contest as +105 road underdogs against a Nashville Predators club with the worst offense in the league, averaging only 2.3 goals per game.
Vasilevskiy struggled in his previous outing, allowing five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Washington Capitals, and will have the night off on Friday. Jonas Johansson will start for Tampa Bay and be backed up by recently recalled Matt Tomkins.
Vasilevskiy will not dress on Friday, the front end of a back-to-back, as Johansson will start for Tampa Bay and be backed up by recently recalled Matt Tomkins. The 29-year-old Johansson has been limited to only four appearances this season (1-1-1) and has struggled when called upon, posting an ugly 5.22 GAA and .856 SV%. Tampa Bay enters Friday's contest as +105 road underdogs against a Nashville Predators club with the worst offense in the league, averaging only 2.3 goals per game.
With Tampa Bay playing back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, Tomkins' call-up from the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) could indicate the team is looking for an option other than Jonas Johansson between the pipes for one of the games. The 30-year-old Tomkins has a 3.12 GAA and .890 SV% in eight games with Syracuse (3-5-0). He posted a 3.33 GAA and .892 SV% in six games with Tampa Bay last season (3-2-1).
Cam Atkinson enter the lineup on Wednesday, replacing Chaffee, who is battling an undisclosed ailment. The 26-year-old Chaffee has provided depth offense for Tampa Bay this season, scoring nine points (5G / 4A) in 20 games while averaging 13:04 time-on-ice.
Mitchell Chaffee is battling an undisclosed ailment and will not play on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, allowing Atkinson to re-enter the lineup. The 35-year-old Atkinson is averaging 9:37 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games this season.
For the third straight game, Tampa Bay will roll with Vasilevskiy between the pipes. The 30-year-old Vasilevskiy has allowed two or fewer goals in five of his last six (4-1-1) and has been stellar this season, posting a 2.24 GAA and .915 SV% in 17 games (10-6-1). Tampa Bay enters Wednesday's contest as -148 home favorites against a Washington Capitals club that has scored only seven goals in three games (1-2-0) without Alex Ovechkin (lower body).
Chaffee exited Monday's 8-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche after playing only 9:55 time-on-ice. The 26-year-old Chaffee has been productive from a limited role for Tampa Bay this season, scoring nine points (5G / 4A) while averaging 13:04 time-on-ice in 20 games.
For the first time in over a month, Vasilevskiy allowed more than three goals in a contest, saving 24 of 28 (.857 SV%) in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. He will return to the crease on Monday, looking to rebound and improve his 2.26 GAA and .915 SV% through 16 games (9-6-1) this season. Tampa Bay enters the action on Monday as slight -110 home favorites against a Colorado Avalanche club riding a three-game winning streak, coming off a season-best seven-goal performance in their most recent game.
Paul exited Tampa's game on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets after playing 10:38 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old Paul, averaging 16:24 time-on-ice, is pacing for a career-best season, with 13 points (5G / 8A) in 17 games.
For the first time in over a month, Vasilevskiy allowed more than three goals in a contest, saving 24 of 28 (.857 SV%) in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. He will likely return to the crease on Monday, looking to rebound and improve his 2.26 GAA and .915 SV% through 16 games (9-6-1) this season. Tampa Bay enters the action on Monday as slight -110 home favorites against a Colorado Avalanche club riding a three-game winning streak, coming off a season-best seven-goal performance in their most recent game.
