Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was activated off injured reserve Friday and will make his season debut against the host Carolina Hurricanes later in the night, coach Jon Cooper announced.
Vasilevskiy underwent surgery to repair a lumbar disc herniation in his back in September. Jonas Johansson (8-4-5, 3.41 goals-against average, .894 save percentage) made the bulk of the starts in his absence, with Matt Tomkins adding three appearances before being placed on waivers.
Vasilevskiy, 29, posted a 34-22-4 record with four shutouts, a 2.65 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 60 games (all starts) last season with the Lightning.
The 2018-19 Vezina Trophy recipient and a two-time Stanley Cup champion, Vasilevskiy is 263-123-28 with 32 shutouts, a 2.52 GAA and .919 save percentage in 425 career games (415 starts) with Tampa Bay.
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