Merela will be the odd-man out on Tuesday as the Lightning are opting to dress seven defensemen. He has just one goal and no assists in 17 games this season.

Vasilevskiy will look to stay in form on Tuesday as the Lightning will opt to have their workhorse between the pipes when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers. After a rocky start to his 2023-24 season, Vasilevskiy has found his groove of late. The 2018-19 Vezina Trophy Winner is 4-1-0 over his last five starts, posting a .921 SV% over that span. He's in a good spot to keep things rolling on Tuesday with the Lightning being slight favourites at -115 in Philadelphia.

Cernak is nearing a return but will not be rushed back into the lineup as he continues his recovery from an upper-body injury. Cernak has five points (0G / 5A), 90 hits, and 62 blocks in 39 games this season.

Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Wild on Thursday. Vasilevskiy has now won four straight starts, posting a .914 SV% in the process. Tonight he will face the Red Wings in Detroit, Vasilevskiy has had a tough time on the road so far this season, going 5-6-0 with a 3.38 GAA and .885 SV%.

Merela will take the place of the scratched Alex Barre-Boulet. Merela is yet to register a point in 14 games this season.

Vasilevskiy will start for the seventh straight game and look to extend his winning streak to four games on Thursday night. After a disastrous performance on January 6th, allowing six goals on 26 shots (.769 SV%) in a 7-3 loss to the Boston Bruins, Vasilevskiy has responded admirably, winning three straight and posting a respectable .917 SV%. Tampa Bay is a -134 home favourite against the Minnesota Wild, who defeated the New York Islanders 5-0 in their last contest.

Vasilevskiy will likely start for the seventh straight game and look to extend his winning streak to four games on Thursday night. After a disastrous performance on January 6th, allowing six goals on 26 shots (.769 SV%) in a 7-3 loss to the Boston Bruins, Vasilevskiy has responded admirably, winning three straight and posting a respectable .917 SV%. Tampa Bay is a -134 home favourite against the Minnesota Wild, who defeated the New York Islanders 5-0 in their last contest.

Ylonen left Monday's win vs. the Avalanche, missed Tuesday's practice and is questionable to play Wednesday in New Jersey. Ylonen did travel with the team, so there's a chance he plays. He comes into Wednesday with seven points (3G / 4A) in 36 games this season.

Crozier was recalled along with fellow defender Philippe Myers on Tuesday, but with Tampa Bay off until Thursday, it is unclear how or if they will decide to utilize them in their lineup. Crozier made his NHL debut in the last Lightning game, playing 13:00 time-on-ice.

This very well could just be a paper transaction as the Lightning are off until Thursday. We'll get a better sense of how they'll lineup for that game against the Wild when they return to practice on Tuesday.

This very well could just be a paper transaction as the Lightning are off until Thursday. We'll get a better sense of how they'll lineup for that game against the Wild when they return to practice on Tuesday.

With news that Erik Cernak (upper body) is day-to-day heading into the weekend, Maxwell Crozier has earned his first NHL call up Friday from Syracuse (AHL). The 23-year-old was Tampa Bay's 2019 fourth round pick (120th overall) and is only spending his first full season in the AHL this year after joining the team from Providence (NCAA) in 2022-23.

Cernak suffered an upper-body injury after taking a hit from Nathan Bastian late in the first period of Thursday's game against the New Jersey Devils. Cernak has five points (0G / 5A), 90 hits, and 62 blocks in 39 games this season.

Cernak suffered the injury after taking a hit from Nathan Bastian late in the first period. We should expect to receive an update on the injury and a possible timeline for Cernak's return following the completion of Thursday's game.