Projected Lineup (subject to change)
Forwards
Ondrej Palat - Brayden Point - Steven Stamkos
Alex Killorn - Anthony Cirelli - Mathieu Joseph
Patrick Maroon - Ross Colton - Corey Perry
Boris Katchouk - Pierre-Edouard Bellemare - Taylor Raddysh
Defensemen
Victor Hedman - Jan Rutta
Ryan McDonagh - Erik Cernak
Mikhail Sergachev - Andrej Sustr
Goaltenders
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Brian Elliott
Monday's Matchup
The Lightning and the Sabres are playing their first of three meetings this season and the first of two at KeyBank Center...Tampa Bay and Buffalo are meeting for the first time since a 6-4 Lightning win Dec. 31, 2019 in Buffalo, a game in which the Bolts scored five-unanswered goals to overcome a 4-1, second period deficit...The Lightning have won seven in a row over the Sabres, outscoring Buffalo 30-19 over that stretch, the Bolts' last loss coming in a 2-1 defeat in Buffalo Nov. 13, 2018...Since the start of the 2013-14 season, the Bolts own a 23-4-2 record versus Buffalo...Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is 23-5-2 all-time versus the Sabres...The Bolts are 13-3-1 in Buffalo since the start of the 2011-12 season...Pat Maroon is on a six-game point streak vs. Buffalo (4-3--7 pts.)...Anthony Cirelli (1-3--4 pts.) and Steven Stamkos (0-3--3 pts.) each have an active three-game assist streak vs. Buffalo...Andrei Vasilevskiy is on a five-game win streak vs. Buffalo (14 total goals allowed) and is 8-0-1 over his last nine starts against the Sabres (19 total goals allowed).
Monday's Storylines
Tampa Bay is undefeated in road contests so far this season (2-0-0), picking up both of its victories in overtime...The Lightning are one of eight NHL teams with a perfect road record currently...The Bolts are looking to start a season 3-0-0 on the road for the first time in franchise history... Since the start of the 2016-17 season, the Bolts own the best road record in the NHL (112-59-18 for a .640 points percentage)...The Lightning have allowed the opening goal in all five games so far this season and are one of three NHL teams yet to score first (also: CHI and MIN)...The Bolts have yet to hold a lead in regulation this season...The Lightning are the only NHL team without a first period goal...Tampa Bay ranks tied for second in the League for third period goals (9)...The Lightning lead the NHL for 6-on-5 goals this season with three (franchise record for 6-on-5 goals is 6 in 2014-15)...Tonight, the Bolts begin their first of 12 back-to-back sets this season...Tampa Bay was 6-2-1 in the first half of a back-to-back in 2020-21.
Injuries
2021-22 Reg. Season Man Games Lost: 15
Current injuries
Zach Bogosian (Lower-body injury Oct. 12; Out 4-6 weeks) 4 Games
Nikita Kucherov (Out indefinitely) 2 Games
Gemel Smith (Lower-body injury Sept. 28; Out indefinitely) 5 Games
Tampa Bay Sports Item of the Game
2021 Stanley Cup Champions Ring Fan Collection
Shop the 2021 Ring Fan Collection from Jostens with unique Back 2 Back designs. Avaialble now at Jostens.com/Lightning.
The Road Ahead
Tuesday, October 26 at Pittsburgh Penguins
Thursday, October 28 vs. Arizona Coyotes
Monday, November 1 vs. Washington Capitals