Lightning News

EASTERN ATLANTIC

Anthony Cirelli • C • Lightning

Anthony Cirelli Injured in Thursday's Loss

Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) left Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in the third period. The Lightning were without Nikita Kucherov (illness) and Brandon Hagel (upper body) for the contest and lost Cirelli after he had collected a power-play assist. The team may now be missing half of its top-six group in this week's final game, a matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Cirelli is third on the Lightning roster with a plus-15 rating and has amassed 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 30 appearances.

4 hours ago

Andrei Vasilevskiy • G • Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy Back for Lightning Thursday

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The team activated Vasilevskiy from Injured Reserve earlier this week, while reassigning Brandon Halverson to the minors. It's unclear whether Vasilevskiy will start the contest. However, having the former Vezina winner back is definitely good news for the Lightning. The Russian netminder has won 11 of his last 14 starts, carrying an 11-6-2 record for the season. He has recorded one shutout, allowing 2.31 goals with a .917 save percentage. The Kings average the fifth-fewest goals in the NHL (2.58), making this a good matchup for Vasilevskiy if he returns to the crease on Thursday.

18 hours ago

Ryan McDonagh • D • Lightning

Ryan McDonagh Available Thursday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed) was activated from Injured Reserve and is poised to end an 18-game absence on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Kings. Declan Carlile is expected to come out of the lineup to accommodate McDonagh's return. Tampa's blue line has been badly hit by injuries this season, and McDonagh hasn't seen any action since Nov. 8. Erik Cernak (undisclosed), Victor Hedman (elbow), and Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) remain out against L.A., so McDonagh could have a heavy workload in his return. The veteran rearguard has managed six points (three goals, three assists) in 15 outings this season, sending 15 shots on goal and blocking 26 efforts from the opposition.

19 hours ago

Brandon Hagel • LW • Lightning

Brandon Hagel Makes Early Exit Monday

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel (undisclosed) failed to complete Monday's 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers. He exited the game in the third period after taking an elbow to the head from Panthers defenseman Seth Jones. Hagel has struggled recently, going scoreless five times in his last six appearances, but he is still averaging nearly a point per game for the season. In 32 games, Hagel has posted 18 goals and 31 points. He ranks first among Tampa Bay forwards with a plus-18 rating. Nicholas Paul, who was limited to a fourth-line role on Monday, may return to the top six if Hagel misses time.

3 days ago

Andrei Vasilevskiy • G • Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy Expected to Return Before Christmas

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) will remain out on Monday against the Florida Panthers but is nearing his return. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters on Monday morning that he's hopeful Vasilevskiy will return to action before Christmas. After Monday night, Tampa Bay has three more games scheduled before the holiday break. Jonas Johansson will remain between the sticks on Monday. Although Johansson has gone 2-3-1 over his last six starts, he has posted a strong 2.19 goals-against average with a .916 save percentage. The Swedish netminder will face a sharp offense on Monday, as the Panthers are averaging 3.13 goals per game this season.

3 days ago

Emil Lilleberg • D • Lightning

Emil Lilleberg Exits Early Saturday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) was limited to 13:30 of ice time in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Islanders. He missed the third period, leaving the Lightning without another blue-liner. Victor Hedman (shoulder), Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed), and Erik Cernak (undisclosed) all missed Saturday's game. Lilleberg's offensive contributions have been limited to two goals and four assists in 32 games this season. However, he is second on the team with 53 hits and averages a block per game. Due to Tampa's current injury situation, Darren Raddysh, J.J. Moser, and Charle-Edouard D'Astous are logging big minutes on the blue line.

5 days ago

Andrei Vasilevskiy • G • Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy Could Return Monday

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) won't play on Saturday afternoon against the New York Islanders but could return to action on Monday versus the Florida Panthers. He will miss a sixth consecutive game on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury. However, Vasilevskiy practiced on Friday and should be back between the sticks soon for Tampa. The Russian netminder owns an 11-6-2 record for the season and has registered a 2.31 goals-against average, along with a .917 save percentage and one shutout. Jonas Johansson has done a decent job as Vasilevskiy's replacement and will search for a third consecutive victory in Saturday's matchup.

6 days ago

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman to Be Out Until February

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman is scheduled to undergo elbow surgery on Monday and will be out until February. Hedman has already missed significant time this season and will be sidelined once again after aggravating a previous injury. He made just three appearances after a 12-game spell out. Hedman is expected to be fully ready for the Olympics tournament, which begins on Feb. 11. Declan Carlile took Hedman's spot in the lineup Thursday against the New Jersey Devils and could now have a regular role for several weeks. Meanwhile, Darren Raddysh's fantasy prospects continue to grow. He has become Tampa's top defenseman, eating up huge minutes and posting multiple points in back-to-back games.

6 days ago

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Placed on Injured Reserve

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (undisclosed) will miss at least one week of action after he was placed on Injured Reserve. Hedman only recently returned from a 12-game absence. Now, he must sit out at least three games due to an undisclosed injury he sustained during Tuesday's win over the Montreal Canadiens. Hedman's absence will begin on Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. To bolster its defensive depth, Tampa Bay has recalled Declan Carlile from the minors to take Hedman's spot on the roster. The major beneficiary of Hedman's injury will be Darren Raddysh, who has locked down a position on the first power-play unit. Raddysh is also seeing big minutes during even-strength play and has totaled 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) over his last 13 appearances.

7 days ago

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Suffers New Injury Blow

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (undisclosed) picked up another injury in Tuesday's win over the Montreal Canadiens. He was playing his third game after a nearly month-long injury layoff. Tampa's defensive star may now have to miss more time. Hedman's injury issues this season have given a massive boost to Darren Raddysh's fantasy stock. He has been a regular on the top power-play unit, logging at least 22 minutes of ice time in nine consecutive games. Raddysh has two of Tampa's goals in Tuesday's 6-1 victory. He has posted 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 24 games.

Dec 10

Brayden Point • C • Lightning

Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point Back for Lightning Monday

Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed) and Brayden Point (undisclosed) will rejoin the lineup on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kucherov is available after a one-game absence, while Point has sat out seven games. Both players will slot back into the top six and the first power play unit. Nicholas Paul, who has been filling in for Point as the second-line center, will also remain part of the top-six group. Meanwhile, Tampa's frontline will be without the services of Dominic James (undisclosed) and Curtis Douglas (undisclosed). Kucherov has been red-hot in recent weeks, recording six multi-point games in seven appearances. In contrast, Point has struggled this season, managing only three goals and eight assists in 21 games.

Dec 8

Dominic James • C • Lightning

Dominic James Hurt on Saturday

Tampa Bay Lightning center Dominic James (undisclosed) joined the team's growing list of injuries on Saturday against the New York Islanders, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports. Tampa Bay was without Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed) and Brayden Point (undisclosed) in the attack, giving James a second-line role. Now, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper may have to shake up his lineup again. James has tallied five points (two goals, three assists) in 19 games during his rookie season. The Lightning also lost Curtis Douglas (undisclosed) from the fourth line during Saturday's contest.

Dec 7

Andrei Vasilevskiy • G • Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy Remains Out Saturday

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) will not return to action on Saturday against the New York Islanders. He was initially expected back after missing Thursday's matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jonas Johansson will remain between the sticks for Tampa, with Brandon Halverson backing him up. Johansson struggled on Thursday, allowing four goals on 31 shots in a 4-3 loss. However, he still has a winning record for the season at 5-3-0. Johansson has registered a 3.06 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage. The Swedish netminder faces a difficult matchup on Saturday. The Islanders have dropped only a handful of games over the last month, scoring six goals in their most recent effort, an impressive victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

Dec 6

Nikita Kucherov • RW • Lightning

Nikita Kucherov Out on Saturday

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (undisclosed) won't play on Saturday against the New York Islanders. The three-time NHL scoring leader is dealing with an undisclosed injury, which will keep him sidelined for a third time this season. Kucherov has enjoyed a couple of huge weeks, taking up a position once again among the NHL's highest scorers. He has registered 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 25 games. Brayden Point (undisclosed), who has missed six games, is questionable for Saturday's matchup, so Tampa Bay may be without two huge top-six pieces. Kucherov is considered day-to-day, and his first chance to return to action will come on Monday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Dec 6

Brayden Point • C • Lightning

Brayden Point Questionable for Saturday

Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (undisclosed) is considered questionable for Saturday's tilt against the New York Islanders, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports. Point has missed six games due to an unspecified ailment. It has been a poor campaign for the former 50-goal scorer. In 21 outings, Point has recorded three goals and 11 assists. Nicholas Paul has filled in for Point in the top six, registering a five-game point streak. Point, who hasn't scored a goal for a month, will presumably take on his usual duties once he is back in the lineup.

Dec 6

Victor Hedman • D • Lightning

Victor Hedman Expected to Return Saturday

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (undisclosed) has been labeled as probable for Saturday's matchup against the New York Islanders, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports. The star rearguard has missed nearly a month of action due to an undisclosed injury. Hedman had a four-game assist streak before exiting the lineup. Overall, he has dished out 12 assists in 15 games this season. The 34-year-old has yet to score despite firing 23 shots on goal. Darren Raddysh has done an incredible job on defense for Tampa during Hedman's absence, but he must settle for a lesser role when he returns.

Dec 6

Andrei Vasilevskiy • G • Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy Unavailable Thursday

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) won't play on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jonas Johansson will guard the crease, while Brandon Halverson has been called up from the minors to serve as the backup. Fortunately, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said that Vasilevskiy isn't dealing with anything serious and is expected to return to action on Saturday against the New York Islanders. The Islanders ended the former Vezina Trophy winner's six-game winning streak on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy holds an 11-6-2 record with a 2.31 goals-against average, a .917 save percentage, and one shutout. Five of his eight losses came in his first five starts of the campaign.

Dec 4

Ryan McDonagh • D • Lightning

Lightning Sign Ryan McDonagh to Three-Year Extension

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (undisclosed) signed a three-year, $12.3 million contract extension on Thursday. The veteran rearguard was set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026. McDonagh has made close to 400 appearances with the Lightning over two stints at the club, including 15 this season. He has missed nearly a month of action due to an undisclosed injury. After posting back-to-back 30-point campaigns, McDonagh is unlikely to extend the streak. He currently sits on six points (three goals, three assists), and it's unclear when McDonagh can return to action.

Dec 4

Brayden Point • C • Lightning

Brayden Point Without Timetable for Return

Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (undisclosed) doesn't have a timetable for his return, according to Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley. Point has been out for four games with an unspecified health issue. This season, Point has been one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy hockey, recording only 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 21 contests. With him out, Nicholas Paul has grabbed the second-line center role, while also skating with the top power-play unit. Paul has enjoyed taking on additional responsibilities, putting together a three-game point streak ahead of Tuesday's tilt against the New York Islanders.

Dec 2

Brandon Hagel • LW • Lightning

Brandon Hagel Tallies Three Points Against Flyers

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel contributed two goals and an assist during Monday's 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. He opened and finished the scoring, sticking an even-strength assist between his two goals. After a few dull performances, Hagel has exploded for seven points (four goals, three assists) across the past two games. He has struck a good partnership with Anthony Cirelli and Nikita Kucherov. The line took care of all Tampa goals on Monday night, scoring a combined eight points. For the season, Hagel has recorded 11 goals and 22 points in 21 games.

Nov 25

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