Projected Lineup (subject to change)
Forwards
Ondrej Palat - Brayden Point - Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel - Anthony Cirelli - Alex Killorn
Nick Paul - Steven Stamkos - Ross Colton
Patrick Maroon - Pierre-Edourad Bellemare - Corey Perry
Defensemen
Victor Hedman - Jan Rutta
Ryan McDonagh - Erik Cernak
Mikhail Sergachev - Cal Foote
Goaltenders
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Brian Elliott
Thursday's Matchup
The Lightning and the Ducks are playing their second of two meetings this season and the only meeting at AMALIE Arena...Anaheim defeated Tampa Bay 5-1 in the first meeting Jan. 21 at Honda Center, the Ducks scoring four-consecutive goals to open the game before Ross Colton got the Lightning on the board at 5:25 of the third period, the Bolts going 0-for-7 on the power play in the loss...The Lightning and Ducks are playing at AMALIE Arena for the first time since Nov. 23, 2019, a 6-2 Tampa Bay win highlighted by a two-goal game from Brayden Point and a 36-of-38 save performance by Andrei Vasilevskiy...The Bolts have won six of the last eight meetings against Anaheim in Tampa going back to Feb. 21, 2012...Nikita Kucherov has six goals and 15 points in 13 all-time meetings with Anaheim and is Tampa Bay's franchise leader for scoring against the Ducks...Anthony Cirelli is on a three-game point streak vs. Anaheim (2-3--5 pts.)...Andrei Vasilevskiy gave up four goals on 34 shots in a loss earlier this season to Anaheim, but prior to that, the Lightning netminder was undefeated against the Ducks and owns career marks of 4-1-0, .933 save percentage and 2.20 GAA vs. Anaheim.
Thursday's Storylines
The Lightning begin a season-long five-game homestand tonight...Tampa Bay's magic number to clinch a spot in the playoffs for the fifth-consecutive season, the eighth time in Jon Cooper's nine full seasons as head coach and the 14th time overall in franchise history is two... The Lightning can secure a postseason bid tonight with a win over Anaheim or a NY Islanders regulation loss at Pittsburgh Thursday or a Lightning overtime/shootout loss combined with a NY Islanders overtime/shootout loss...Tampa Bay is one win from collecting its 45th win of the season and reaching that total for the first time since notching a NHL-record tying 62 wins in 2018-19, for the eighth time in franchise history and the sixth time under Jon Cooper.
Injuries
2021-22 Reg. Season Man Games Lost: 179
Current injuries
None
Play It Safe
The well-being of our guests and staff is our top priority. As we return to play, we will be implementing new health and safety protocols based on current public health recommendations, including those set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local agencies, which are evolving as new information is available.
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for more details.
Tampa Bay Sports Item of the Game
Flagship Lounge Pants
Next Tuesday is National Wear Pajamas to Work Day. Order these cool pajama lounge pants today at TampaBaySports.com and receive them by Monday or grab them at AMALIE Arena at tonight's game.
The Road Ahead
Saturday, April 16 vs. Winnipeg Jets
Tuesday, April 19 vs. Detroit Red Wings
Thursday, April 21 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
