LIGHTNING (24-6-2) at GOLDEN KNIGHTS (21-9-2) 10 p.m. ET; SN1, ATTSN-RM, SUN, NHL.TV
The Lightning, who lead the League with 50 points, seeks their longest winning streak since Tampa Bay won nine straight from Feb. 18-March 5, 2016. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to start and try to win his sixth straight game; he has allowed eight goals with one shutout in his past five starts for Tampa Bay. The Golden Knights, eyeing their third consecutive victory, are 6-0-1 in their past seven games and have not lost in regulation since a 7-4 defeat at the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 1.
Players to watch
Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, who has scored a goal in four straight games, leads the NHL in scoring with 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists). He has 12 points (six goals, six assist) in his past nine games. Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault, facing his former team for the first time, has 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in his past 13 games.
They said it
"Obviously, [Vegas is] a good team. We've done some video and have watched a few games of theirs, and they're holding their own a bit right now." -- Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin "When we're playing our game, we're a fast team and we can skate with any team in the league. When we do those things right, we're a really good team." -- Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore
Tampa Bay did not hold a morning skate on Tuesday. … Fleury is expected to start for the Golden Knights after getting the day off Sunday. … Vegas recalled Hyka from Chicago of the American Hockey League on Monday … Sbisa was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday.
Stat pack
Kucherov is tied with Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin for the NHL lead in goals (23). … Johnson has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in a seven-game point streak. … Haula has eight points (four goals, four assists) in a six-game point streak. … Miller has four points (one goal, three assists) in a three-game point streak.
