Cernak played on 12:22 time-on-ice before exiting Sunday's game early in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 18:24 time-on-ice, recording seven points (0G / 7A), 33 blocks, and 48 hits in 25 games.
Santini has 123 games of NHL experience but has exclusively been an AHL player since a four-game stint with the St. Louis Blues in the 2022-23 season. The 29-year-old defenseman has five points (2G / 3A) in 14 games with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) this season.
Cernak played on 12:22 time-on-ice before exiting Sunday's game early in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 18:24 time-on-ice, recording seven points (0G / 7A), 33 blocks, and 48 hits in 25 games.
Cirelli was injured in Sunday's game after playing only 4:37 time-on-ice, exiting in the first period with an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Cirelli had been playing on Tampa Bay's second line with Brandon Hagel and Nick Paul, scoring 20 points (10G / 10A) in his last 19 games before his injury.
Gourde was a late scratch on Friday with the team not announcing his absence until about an hour before puck drop. Andre Burakovsky will draw back into the lineup and is expected to take Gourde's place on the Kraken's top line.
Vasilevskiy will start his 20th game of the season when the Lightning host the Sharks on Thursday. Vasilevskiy took the loss his last time out, allowing four goals on 28 shots in a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Maple Leafs. The 11-year veteran owns a 10-8-1 record and a .907 SV% on the season. He's got a great chance of getting back in the win column on Thursday as the Lightning enter action as massive favourites at -260.
Guentzel left practice early on Tuesday due to an undisclosed ailment but will play on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 30-year-old Guentzel has been productive in his first season with Tampa Bay, scoring 22 points (10G / 12A) in 23 games.
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.
Pelletier was the 26th overall pick of the Flames in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old scored three points (1G / 2A) in 13 games with the Flames last season. He has been productive during the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, scoring 19 points (3G / 16A) in 20 contests.
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.
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).
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.
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.
