Lightning G Vasilevskiy out 2-3 months after vascular surgery

Andrei Vasilevskiy. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Lightning backup goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy could be sidelined up to three months after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot from near his left collarbone.

Team vice-president and general manager Steve Yzerman said Friday that the 21-year-old Russian was treated for a type of Vascular Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and is expected to make a full recovery and return to the ice in two to three months.

Surgery was performed Thursday.

Vasilevskiy appeared in 16 regular season-games for the Eastern Conference champions last season, going 7-5-1 with a .918 save percentage and 2.36 goals-against average. The backup to starter Ben Bishop also appeared in four playoff games, including a start in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

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