With Andrei Vasilevskiy expected to be ready for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s season opener, he took an important step Tuesday to stay on track.
The Lightning's No. 1 goaltender finally skated with the team after missing all organized practices since Sept. 19 due to an undisclosed injury.
"He's just going through some treatments and stuff that, you know, it's player management," head coach Jon Cooper told reporters last week.
Joining the non-game group on Tuesday ahead of Tampa's matchup against the Florida Panthers, Vasilevskiy could still play in either of the Lightning's final two pre-season games, at home Thursday or on the road Saturday, both against Florida.
Asked Monday if Vasilevskiy will need a game or two to be ready for the regular season, Cooper said, “Sometimes it’s not what I think; it’s what the player thinks. You want to put him in a spot where he’s feeling comfortable. And Vasy’s gone through multiple training camps where he’s played just two games. So, let’s just see how later in the week goes.”
Over his 63 appearances last season, Vasilevskiy posted a 2.18 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage, his best stats in several seasons.
The Lightning's season opener is Oct. 9 at home against the Ottawa Senators.
