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.
Paul will return from a six-game absence on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Before his injury, Paul was pacing for the best offensive season of his career with 13 points (5G / 8A) in 17 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 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.
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.
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.
