What's Happening?
Jonas Johansson, a goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning, is set to start in an upcoming road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This marks Johansson's first start since January 12, as he has been playing sparingly behind the team's primary goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy. Johansson has accumulated a record of 10 wins, 6 losses, and 1 overtime loss, with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.73 and a save percentage of .896 over 18 games this season. The Columbus Blue Jackets, the Lightning's upcoming opponents, have been on a strong run, winning five of their last six games and outscoring their opponents 18-12 during this period.
Why It's Important?
Johansson's performance in the upcoming game is crucial for the Tampa Bay Lightning as they navigate the second
half of a back-to-back schedule. His ability to perform well could provide the team with much-needed depth in the goaltending position, especially as they face a Columbus team that has been performing well recently. The outcome of this game could impact the Lightning's standings and momentum as they continue through the season. For Johansson, this start is an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities and potentially secure more playing time in the future.
What's Next?
Following this game, the Lightning will continue their season with a focus on maintaining their position in the standings. Depending on Johansson's performance, the coaching staff may consider giving him more opportunities to start, especially in situations where the team faces tight schedules or needs to rest their primary goaltender. The team's management will likely monitor Johansson's performance closely to assess his role in the team's strategy moving forward.
