Lightning G Andrei Vasilevskiy on track to return early

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy could return to the ice by Thanksgiving, which would be slightly ahead of his original recovery schedule from last month's back surgery.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper told reporters on Monday that the two-time, Stanley Cup-winning goalie's rehab is progressing well and said he would be "disappointed if [Vasilevskiy's return] is in early December."

Vasilevskiy, 29, was expected to miss eight to 10 weeks following a microdiscectomy on a lumbar herniation early last month.

The 2019 Vezina Trophy and 2021 Conn Smythe Trophy winner was a workhorse for the Lightning during back-to-back Cup Final wins in 2020 and '21 and a Cup Final appearance in '22.

Perhaps the workload caught up to Vasilevskiy, since last season his numbers (34-22-4, 2.65 goals-against average, .915 save percentage) were below his career averages, and he and the Lightning were bounced by Toronto in the first round.

Admitting that he kept "pushing myself to the limit," Vasilevskiy eventually needed surgery before this season.

"The first 30, 35 games felt as usual," Vasilevskiy said this spring. "But then just me and my body probably wasn't on the same page. All those small injuries came out at the same time. My mistake was that I didn't really pay attention to recovery."

In his absence, Jonas Johansson has fared well this season, going 5-1-3 with two shutouts, a 2.87 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.