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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
