Elliot stopped 21 of 24 shots (.875 SV%) his last time out a week ago (Nov.5) against Buffalo picking up the 5-3 win in his fourth start of the season. The Lightning's backup carries a 3-1-0 record but has fought the puck this season with his 3.26 GAA and .895 SV%. He will take on the Dallas Stars' Tuesday who last won 5-1 over Philadelphia in their previous game.
The 26-year-old has been enjoying a strong start to his AHL campaign prior to his promotion with nine points (2G/7A) in nine games along with 27 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus rating. He has played in one NHL game previously in his career when he got a call-up in 2021-22 and had one SOG.
Vasilevskiy amazingly stopped 52 shots and still took the loss as Tampa dropped his previous start 4-3 vs. Carolina. He has not been his usual dominant self early on this year, posting a 4-3-1 record, with his .911 SV% and 2.87 GAA. He faces off against Edmonton Tuesday who is on the second half of a back-to-back after dropping their third straight contest Monday in a 5-4 loss to Washington.
Vasilevskiy amazingly stopped 52 shots and still took the loss as Tampa dropped his previous start 4-3 vs. Carolina. He has not been his usual dominant self early on this year, posting a 4-3-1 record, with his .911 SV% and 2.87 GAA. He faces off against Edmonton Tuesday who is on the second half of a back-to-back after dropping their third straight contest Monday in a 5-4 loss to Washington.
Paul left Thursday's game vs. The Hurricanes with an undisclosed injury and was not on the ice for Friday's practice. If Paul can't play, expect Vladislav Namestnikov to move up into the top-6.
Hedman has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury but was on the ice for the Lightning's morning skate and will be a game-time decision vs. the Sabres. Expect Hedman to be back on the top-pair with Erik Cernak and the top PP unit if he plays.
Vasielvskiy stopped only 12 of 15 shots (.800%) in an odd 4-3 victory over Ottawa his last time out. After leading the NHL in wins the last five seasons, he has a 4-3-0 record along with a .902 SV% and 2.88 GAA. He should face a lot of rubber as he takes on Carolina Thursday who is 5th in the NHL in shots (36.2) and coming off a shootout win their last time out.
Hedman will be a game-time decision for Tampa Tuesday as they take on the Ottawa Senators. If he does miss the game, it will be a massive loss for the Lightning's top defenseman, who has eight points (1G/7A) through the first nine games this season.
Vasilevskiy won his last outing 4-3 after he stopped 24 of 27 San Jose shots for his third victory of the season. Vasilevskiy has been consistent, but not his usual dominant self in 2022-23, as he has a 2.87 GAA and .910 SV% to go along with his .500 winning percentage. He takes on an Ottawa Senators team that ranks fourth in the NHL in GF/GP (3.75) and is looking to snap a two-game skid they find themselves currently on.