The Lightning’s second preseason outing in Nashville comes with a very different look.
After rolling out a veteran group in Monday’s 2-1 win over the Predators, Tampa Bay is turning to a younger lineup for the rematch. Ilya Mikheyev, who scored in that first game, is getting the night off. Conor Geekie, though, is right back in the mix as he keeps pushing for a roster spot.
The roster churn makes sense under the new CBA, which limits players with more than 100 NHL games. That rule is a big reason this group looks so different from the one that skated Monday.
Geekie is one of several young players getting another chance. Sam O’Reilly and Benjamin Rautiainen are also appearing in their second straight game after staying in camp and trying to make their case.
O’Reilly, in particular, stood out Monday. He logged 15:10, fired two shots on goal on five attempts, and helped create the turnover that led to Geekie’s game-winner.
He also went six-for-eight on face-offs, which may have been the most encouraging number on his stat line.
In goal, Dennis Hildeby is set to make his first start in a Lightning uniform. Tampa Bay acquired him in the offseason in the trade for Nick Paul.
The lineup still has some NHL names in it. Emil Lilleberg, Charles-Edouard D’Astous, and Gage Goncalves are all making their preseason debuts, while Pontus Holmberg is back on the ice for the first time since an upper-body injury ended his season.
Monday’s game featured a Lightning roster with more established talent, while Nashville leaned much younger. That may not be the case this time around.
There’s also the chance for a little carryover from Monday’s skirmishes, especially with so many players still trying to catch the coaching staff’s eye. Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM, with the game available on the Lightning app and The Spot.
In Other News...
Lightning Bubble Players Enter A Crucial Stretch Before Florida Showdown
The Lightnings preseason trip through Nashville offered a reminder that the roster picture is still very much in flux, even after an overtime loss to the Predators. Jeffrey Viel accounted for both Tampa Bay goals, but the bigger takeaway for the staff came off the ice, where the club began trimming its camp and narrowing the competition as the calendar turns toward the final exhibition slate.
There is still plenty of sorting to do before Florida becomes the next checkpoint, with more than a full camps worth of bodies still in the mix and some tough decisions looming at every position. For players on the bubble, this is the part of September that can define whether they are staying in the room or heading back to junior, and the Lightning will keep using the remaining dress rehearsals to separate the hopefuls from the survivors. [Read more 🡒]
Lightning Preseason Is Already Raising One Big Roster Question
The preseason has only just started, but Tampa Bay has already gotten a useful look at some fresh faces. After splitting two games with Nashville, the Lightning have seen early signs from newcomers John Carlson, Ilya Mikheyev and Jeffery Viel, while prospect Sam O'Reilly has also flashed enough to stand out in a group that is still sorting itself out. With the roster still in evaluation mode, those first impressions matter, especially for a team trying to blend experience with younger depth.
Conor Geekie has been part of that conversation too, even if his value has shown up in different ways from night to night. He delivered the game-winner in the opener and then handled himself well in the faceoff circle in the rematch, a reminder that preseason for a player like him is about more than just scoring chances. The next test comes against Florida in a back-to-back series, and with roles still up for grabs, these games should sharpen the competition even more. [Read more 🡒]
Lightning Just Made A Clear Goalie Decision Behind Vasilevskiy
The Lightning have moved to settle one of their more practical preseason questions behind Andrei Vasilevskiy, placing Jonas Johansson on waivers and clearing the runway for a new backup plan. It is the latest sign that Tampa Bay is sorting out its goaltending depth with the regular season closing in, and it leaves Dennis Hildeby in position to occupy the No. 2 job behind the franchise centerpiece.
General manager Julien BriseBois said the club is working with Johansson and his agent to find the best landing spot, which gives this a familiar early-season feel for a team that has to balance roster decisions with player opportunity. If Johansson clears waivers, Syracuse is the obvious fallback, but that could create a crowded situation in the AHL and keep this storyline from resolving quickly. [Read more 🡒]