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Tampa Bay Lightning News
Vasilevskiy will start against the Blackhawks on Thursday.

The Lightning will hand Vasilevskiy his fifth start of the young season when they host the Blackhawks on Thursday. The former Vezina Trophy winner has endured a tough start to his 2025-26 campaign, going winless with an .886 SV% across his first four starts, although he did look more like his regular self in his most recent outing. Vasilevskiy stopped 29 of the 31 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss in Detroit on Friday. Luckily for Vasilevskiy, he draws a great matchup on Thursday as the Lightning enter action at -300 on the money line.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Kucherov (illness) is expected to return to Tampa Bay's lineup on Thursday vs. Chicago.

Kucherov has missed Tampa Bay's previous two games due to an illness, but he will likely draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The NHL's Art Ross Trophy winner from a season ago is yet to find his stride in 2025-26, recording three points (2G / 1A) and a -8 plus/minus through four games.

Nikita Kucherov
James will make his NHL debut vs. Chicago on Thursday.

James has enjoyed an electric start in Syracuse (AHL) with five points in four games played and earned himself his first career promotion to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. The 23-year-old forward is a former sixth-round pick (173rd overall) and will make his NHL debut after spending the last four seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA).

Dominic James
The Lightning recalled James from Syracuse (AHL) on Wednesday.

James has enjoyed an electric start in Syracuse (AHL) with five points in four games played and earned himself his first career promotion to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. The 23-year-old forward is a former sixth-round pick (173rd overall) and will be hopeful to make his NHL debut after spending the last four seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA).

Dominic James