Dressing Two Healthy Goaltenders

Handling the availability of two healthy goaltenders has been a juggling act for the Lightning this week. Andrei Vasilevskiy was sidelined with an illness for Tuesday’s game against the Blackhawks, giving backup Jonas Johansson his second start in three games.

Vasilevskiy made a return to the ice for Thursday’s morning skate after missing Wednesday’s practice. Unfortunately, Johansson was unavailable for the game against the Kings due to a lower-body injury.

Johansson, who performed well in the loss to the Blackhawks, is now considered day to day. With his absence for the Kings game, Matt Tomkins was called up from AHL Syracuse to support Vasilevskiy.

Hedman Takes the Reins as Sweden’s Captain

Victor Hedman’s appointment as the captain for Sweden’s team at the upcoming 4 Nations Faceoff was officially confirmed on Thursday morning. Hedman expressed his pride and excitement about leading his country’s team.

Despite not having played with many of his new teammates before, Hedman is eager to build camaraderie and perform well at the tournament.

Eyssimont Sits Out Against Kings

Mikey Eyssimont was benched for Thursday’s game following a costly penalty in the previous match. His absence was noted after a penalty negated a potential power-play opportunity for the Lightning.

While Eyssimont has been instrumental in creating scoring chances, he has room for improvement in converting those opportunities into goals.

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Conclusion

Managing the availability and health of goaltenders is a crucial aspect of the Lightning’s strategy. With key players like Vasilevskiy and Johansson facing setbacks, the team has had to make swift adjustments to ensure adequate coverage in net.

FAQs

1. Will Jonas Johansson be back on the ice soon?

While considered day to day, Johansson’s return will depend on the recovery of his lower-body injury.

2. How has Victor Hedman prepared for his role as Sweden’s captain?

Hedman has engaged with his new teammates and is focused on building chemistry to perform well at the upcoming tournament.