After sitting out Game 1 as a healthy scratch, Crozier will get a chance to play in Game 2 against the Panthers on Tuesday as the Lightning are opting to dress seven defensemen. A 24-year-old rookie, Crozier finished the 2023-24 regular season with no goals and two assists in 13 games.
Unsurprisingly, the Lightning will turn right back to Vasilevskiy as they look to rebound in Game 2 of their series against the Panthers. The former Vezina Trophy winner was unfortunate to come out on the losing end of Game 1. He allowed just two goals on 27 shots in the 3-2 defeat. Vasilevskiy and the Lightning enter action tonight as slight underdogs at +135 as they hope to even the series before heading back home for Game 3.
Vasilevskiy was a workhorse after making his season debut on November 24th. It was statistically the worst season of his career, as his 2.90 GAA and .900 SV% were the worst marks of his first 10 seasons. Despite the underwhelming splits, Vasilevskiy still won 30 of 52 games, making it the seventh straight season he's won 30-plus games. He struggled in the postseason last year but is 65-42 with a 2.37 GAA and .921 in 110 career playoff appearances.
Glendening is expected to dress on line four for Game 1 but is still considered a game-time decision on Sunday. The 34-year-old veteran reached double-digit goals (10) for the first time since 2018-19 this season.
Glendening did not play in Tampa Bay's season finale due to an undisclosed injury and his status is up in the air for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 34-year-old Glendening scored 11 points (10G / 1A) in 81 games this season.
Cirelli will draw out of the Lightning lineup on Wednesday as Tampa Bay opts to give him the night off ahead of their playoff run. Victor Hedman and Luke Glendening will join him in the press box tonight
Glendening will draw out of the Lightning lineup on Wednesday as Tampa Bay opts to give him the night off ahead of their playoff run. Anthony Cirelli and Victor Hedman will join him in the press box tonight
Hedman will draw out of the Lightning lineup on Wednesday as Tampa Bay opts to give him the night off ahead of their playoff run. Anthony Cirelli and Luke Glendening will join him in the press box tonight
With Tampa Bay secured into a playoff spot, they have opted to start Tomkins more regularly and will turn to him again in their final game of the season for his third start in the last seven games. Tomkins was solid in his last outing, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators. Tampa Bay enters action as a -137 home favourite on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With Tampa Bay secured into a playoff spot, they have opted to start Tomkins more regularly and will likely turn to him again in their final game of the season for his third start in the last seven games. Tomkins was solid in his last outing, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators. Tampa Bay enters action as a -137 home favourite on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ylonen will head to the press box for Montreal's final game of the season as he is replaced by Tanner Pearson vs. Detroit. The 24-year-old has failed to produce after posting a career high 16 points in 37 games played in 2022-23; with only four goals and eight points in 59 games played this season.
The Hurricanes play their final game of the season on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and have opted to rest a variety of their lineup regulars. Guentzel ends the 2023-24 campaign with 77 points (30G / 47A) in 67 games. The 29-year-old forward has been terrific since joining the Hurricanes at the trade deadline, including scoring 13 points in his last eight games.
Tampa Bay will attempt to snap a two-game losing skid on Monday night with Vasilevskiy between the pipes. Vasilevskiy has allowed four or more goals in two of his last three (1-2-0), including four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. Tampa Bay enters action on Monday as a -158 home favourite against the Buffalo Sabres.
McDonagh will sit for roster management purposes as the Predators look to get him some rest on the tail-end of their back-to-back. One of Dante Fabbro or Tyson Barrie will likely take his place in the lineup.
Atkinson was a healthy scratch for Philadelphia's previous game but will draw back in on Thursday as Olle Lycksell is a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old is having his least productive season since 2012-13, with his 13 goals, 15 assists, 174 SOG, 25 PIMs and -22 plus/minus through 67 games played this year.
