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Tampa Bay Lightning News
Johansson will start in Nashville on Friday.

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.

Jonas Johansson
Johansson is expected to start in Nashville on Friday.

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.

Jonas Johansson
Tomkins has been recalled from Syracuse (AHL).

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).

Matt Tomkins
Atkinson will draw back into Tampa Bay's lineup vs. Washington on Wednesday.

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.

Cam Atkinson
Vasilevskiy will start vs. Washington on Wednesday.

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).

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy will start against the Avalanche on Monday.

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.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Paul (undisclosed) is expected to remain out for a week before being re-evaluated.

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.

Nick Paul
Vasilevskiy is expected to start vs. Colorado on Monday.

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.

Andrei Vasilevskiy