Report: Lightning activate G Andrei Vasilevskiy from IR

Field Level Media|published: 12/16/2025, 4:32pm EST

Dec 2, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) sprays water on his face during the second period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After missing seven games with an undisclosed injury, Tampa Bay Lightning No. 1 goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was activated from the injured reserve, LightningInsider.com reported on Tuesday.

Vasilevskiy, 31, the 2018-19 Vezina Trophy winner and a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay, has been limited to 19 games this season due to injuries, posting an 11-6-2 record with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.

Selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Vasilevskiy is 342-169-37 in 559 games (549 starts) with a 2.51 GAA and .917 save percentage. The five-time All-Star has also excelled in the playoffs, posting a 67-50 record, 2.45 GAA and .918 save percentage in 120 games (115 starts).

It's unclear if Vasilevskiy will be between the pipes for the Lightning's home game against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday or if Jonas Johansson will make his eighth consecutive start. In Vasilevskiy's most recent absence, the Lightning are 2-4-1.

Tampa Bay also assigned goaltender Brandon Halverson and winger Scott Sabourin to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. Halverson played all of six seconds while Vasilevskiy was out due to an equipment issue for Johansson, who is 7-6-1 with a 2.76 GAA and .897 save percentage in 15 games this season.

--Field Level Media