Lightning to open season without Vasilevskiy
Perhaps one of the biggest question marks heading into the NHL season is with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy underwent back surgery on September 28, which is expected to keep him out for 10 weeks. As a result, the Lightning will likely start Jonas Johansson. Opening day against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday at Amalie Arena (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+, ESPN, SN, TVAS). Johansson, who signed a two-year contract with the Lightning on July 1, appeared in just three games (two starts) for the Colorado Avalanche last season, allowing five points on 73 shots (.932 save percentage). Now, he will be asked to do more over the next two months as the Lightning await Vasilevskiy’s return. “I’m surprised he hasn’t played more in the NHL so far,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. “Having said that, I believe that goalkeepers develop later on. So maybe now is his time and everything he’s done so far will get him to this point. It was for a reason.”
Do the Lightning have enough to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the stacked Atlantic Division? Will they struggle until their star goalie returns? Or was last season’s first round exit from the Eastern Conference a sign of a downturn in their fortunes? We won’t know everything Tuesday night, but we’ll start to see how the Lightning stack up early. — Amalie Benjamin, Staff Writer
Bedard makes NHL debut
2023 NHL Draft No. 1 pick Connor Bedard will face his childhood idol Sidney Crosby when he makes his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena ( 8pm ET, ESPN+, ESPN), SN, TVAS). Bedard (18 years, 85 days old), who had five points (one goal, four assists) in four preseason games, became the first Blackhawks to debut since Eddie Olczyk (18 years, 56 days old on October 11, 1984). Becomes the youngest player. . Meanwhile, Crosby enters this season needing 48 assists to reach 1,000 NHL goals (550 goals, 952 assists, 1,502 points in 1,190 games). The 36-year-old center has recorded at least 48 assists in 12 of his 18 seasons in the NHL.
Aside from Bedard and Crosby, who were selected No. 1 by the Penguins in the 2005 NHL Draft, this game features Taylor Hall (2010 Edmonton Oilers), the third No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft. do. He was traded to the Boston Bruins on June 26 and is expected to play left wing on the top line with Bedard and right winger Ryan Donato. –Mike G. Morreale, Staff Writer
