Tampa Bay Lightning star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy underwent back surgery on Thursday and is expected to miss the first two months of the season, general manager Julien BriseBois announced.
Vasilevsky briefly participated in practice on Tuesday for the Lightning, who likely will turn to Jonas Johansson in goal to start the upcoming season. Fellow netminders Matt Tomkins and Hugo Alnefelt also are on the roster.
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.
Johansson, 28, went 2-0-0 with a 2.10 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in three appearances (two starts) last season with the Colorado Avalanche.
He is 11-13-4 with one shutout, a 3.35 GAA and .886 save percentage in 35 career games (28 starts) with the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers and Avalanche.
–Field Level Media