Even with the Lightning down 3-0 in Columbus, it doesn’t look like Hedman will be available for Game 4. With Hedman out in Game 3, Mikhail Sergachev played six more minutes (22:55) than he did in Game 2 and Ryan McDonagh led all defensemen with 23:00 TOI.
Hedman missed yesterday's practice and was listed as a game-time decision but will not play in Game 3 in Columbus. Braydon Coburn will draw into the Lightning lineup as they go to battle without Hedman or Nikita Kucherov.
Vasilevskiy surrendered five goals on 27 shots in the Lightning's 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets in Game 2. Vasilevskiy, who could win the Vezina this season, has had a rough start to the postseason, allowing nine goals on 53 shots (.830 SV%) so far. Things will not get any easier in Game 3 as the Lightning will be without Nikita Kucherov (suspension) and Victor Hedman (injury).
Hedman missed Saturday's practice because he is "banged up" but head coach Jon Cooper is hopeful that their No.1 defeneman will be available on Sunday evening. The Lightning are down 2-0 and without their best forward, so they need Hedman in the lineup.
Kucherov will miss Game 3 in Columbus after being suspended for a boarding incident in Game 2. The Lightning are in a tough spot, on the road, down 2-0 and without their best player. Mathieu Joseph will move into the Lightning's top-6 with Kucherov out.
Vasilevskiy put together a great season, leading the NHL in wins (39) despite being 15th in starts (53). Vasilevskiy was also tied for fifth in SV% (.925) and 10th in GAA (2.40). In the first-round the Lightning will face a Blue Jackets team that they dominated this season—Vasilevskiy was 3-0-0 wth a 1.00 GAA, .971 SV% and one shutout vs. Columbus this season.
Hedman missed the final three games of the regular season with an upper-body injury but was on the ice for both Monday and Tuesday’s practice sessions and will play in Game 1 on Wednesday. Hedman had another fantastic season, scoring 12 goals with 42 assists (54 points) in 70 games.
Vasilevskiy stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Lightning’s win in Ottawa on Monday. Ed Pasquale started Tuesday so they will come back to Vasilevskiy tonight on Toronto. Vasilevskiy has gone 2-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .944 SV% in three starts against the Maple Leafs this season.
Vasilevskiy stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Lightning’s win in Ottawa on Monday. Ed Pasquale started Tuesday so they will come back to Vasilevskiy tonight on Toronto. Vasilevskiy has gone 2-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .944 SV% in three starts against the Maple Leafs this season.
Returning Lagace to Chicago suggests that Marc-Andre Fleury will be back on Thursday. The 26-year-old goes back to the AHL where he is 16-8-1 with a 2.33 GAA and .917 SV% in 29 games.
Elliott gave up three goals on 30 shots in the Flyers loss in Washington on March 24th. Elliott has started just once in the Flyers last nine games and went 3-3-0 with a 3.56 GAA and .894 SV% in March. On the season, Elliott went 5-4-1 with a 2.87 GAA and .910 SV% on the road this year.
