Lightning's Anthony Cirelli: Nets two goals Monday
Rotowire
Cirelli had two goals in a 4-0 win over Dallas on Monday.
Cirelli enjoyed his first multi-goal game and his second multi-point outing of the 2023-24 campaign. He's up to five markers and 11 points in 25 appearances this year. Cirelli's offense has trickled in throughout the season with his longest scoring streak being a three-game stretch from Oct. 14-17. Since then, he's failed to factor on the scoresheet in even back-to-back contests.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Nikita Kucherov: Point streak hits 10 games
Rotowire
Kucherov had a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win over Dallas on Monday.
Kucherov just can't be stopped. He's recorded at least a point in 10 straight games, supplying an outstanding five goals and 19 points over that stretch. The 30-year-old was great even before his recent hot streak and now has 16 markers and 42 points through 25 appearances this campaign. He finished 2022-23 with 113 points, and this will likely go down as a similarly dominant year for the superstar forward.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy: Posts 25-save shutout
Rotowire
Vasilevskiy stopped all 25 Stars shots in a 4-0 shutout victory over Dallas on Monday.
Vasilevskiy hadn't looked great since returning from back surgery, posting a 1-3-0 record, 3.87 GAA and .859 save percentage over four outings, so his strong performance Monday is especially encouraging. It's made all the better because the shutout comes against a strong offense in Dallas -- the Stars rank seventh this year with 3.39 goals per game and had managed six goals on 25 shots versus the 29-year-old goaltender Saturday. Tampa Bay has a home contest against Pittsburgh on Wednesday followed by a road game in Nashville on Thursday, so Vasilevskiy will likely start in one of those two matches with an eye toward building off Monday's showing.
Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy: Guarding cage Monday
Rotowire
Vasilevskiy will guard the cage at home versus Dallas on Monday, per NHL.com.
Vasilevskiy is still trying to shake off the rust after posting a 1-3-0 record and 3.87 GAA in his four games since returning from injury. Head coach Jon Cooper continues to support the 29-year-old netminder to eventually return to form as a two-time Stanley Cup champion. Even with the slow start, Vasilevskiy should continue to see the majority of the playing time between the pipes for the Lightning.
Lightning's Jonas Johansson: Shaky in relief Saturday
Rotowire
Johansson replaced Andrei Vasilevskiy to begin the third period of Saturday's 8-1 loss to the Stars, giving up two goals on nine shots.
Neither Tampa Bay goalie had much luck slowing down the Dallas attack and they got very little help from their stagnant defense in the afternoon contest. Johansson lost his starting job when Vasilevskiy returned from back surgery, and even a brutal outing like this for the Bolts' No. 1 netminder isn't likely to change up the depth chart. On the season, Johansson has a 3.44 GAA and .892 save percentage through 19 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy: Gets hook in Dallas
Rotowire
Vasilevskiy allowed six goals on 25 shots before being replaced by Jonas Johansson to begin the third period of Saturday's 8-1 loss to the Stars.
While Vasilevskiy still showed a little rust following his long layoff to begin the season, this blowout was mainly on Tampa Bay's skaters, who came out flat for the afternoon contest and never found a spark. The 29-year-old netminder has gone 1-3-0 since returning from back surgery, and his .859 save percentage is a far cry from his usual Vezina-caliber upside.
Vasilevskiy will get the road start in Dallas on Saturday, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
This will be Vasilevskiy's fourth start in five games since returning from back surgery that cost him the first 20 games of the season. He is 1-2-0, giving up eight goals on only 74 shots. The Stars should give Vasilevskiy plenty of trouble, as they rank ninth in the league with 3.33 goals per game.
Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy: Teammates don't help when needed
Rotowire
Vasilevskiy made 23 saves in a 4-2 loss to the Penguins on Thursday. He allowed three goals.
This wasn't on Vasy -- his mates couldn't score, which is an extension of the team's overall offensive struggles lately. After pouring in the goals in Vasilevskiy's debut, the Bolts have scored exactly four goals over the past three games, two of which the star was in the blue paint. He'll settle in soon -- he's already looking like the Vasy of old. But the Bolts need to help out here.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Nikita Kucherov: NHL's top scorer
Rotowire
Kucherov picked up two assists in a 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday.
The points extended his scoring streak to eight games and 16 points (four goals, 12 assists). Kucherov leads the NHL in points with 39, and he sits tied for second in goals (15) and alone in third in assists (24). He's leading the Hart parade right now and is on pace for a 140-point season. It's hard to believe that he will hit that, but Kuch is a guy you can never bet against.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy: Set to face Penguins
Rotowire
Vasilevskiy is expected to start at home against Pittsburgh on Thursday, per Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site.
Vasilevskiy wasn't able to make his season debut until last Friday due to a back injury, but he's quickly resumed his duties as Tampa Bay's No. 1 goaltender. This will be his third start in the Lightning's last four contests. He's 1-1-0 with a 2.52 GAA and an .891 save percentage after those first two outings, though it's worth noting those matches were on the road and against two strong offenses in Carolina and Colorado. The Penguins shouldn't be taken lightly either, but they're a touch below those other two squads offensively, ranking 17th this year with 3.10 goals per game.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Conor Sheary: Nearing return
Rotowire
Per coach Jon Cooper, Sheary (upper body) is likely to return during the Lightning's trip out West that begins Dec. 9, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.
Sheary was injured Nov. 7 versus Montreal and has missed the last 10 games. Sheary was off to a slow offensive start before his injury, scoring once while adding a pair of assists in 13 games.
Hagel notched an assist, four shots on goal and two hits in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Coyotes.
Hagel has been solid lately with three goals and five assists over his last seven games. The winger is up to 23 points, 57 shots on net, 13 blocked shots, 11 hits, 22 PIM and a plus-1 rating through 23 contests. He should continue to put up strong scoring numbers as long as he remains in a top-line role, though that could change in the near future since the Lightning have been held under three goals in three of their last four games.
... See More... See Less
Lightning's Nikita Kucherov: On seven-game point streak
Rotowire
Kucherov logged an assist, five shots on goal and two PIM in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Coyotes.
Kucherov's helper kept his point streak going at seven games (four goals, 10 assists). The winger set up linemate Brayden Point for the Lightning's only goal in this loss. Kucherov is at 37 points, 103 shots on net, 13 hits, eight PIM and a plus-1 rating through 22 outings this season, and he continues to pace the league in points.
