NHL Player News

Cirelli scored a goal Thursday in a 3-2 win over the Wild.

It came on a redirection early in the first period. It was Cirelli's first goal and point of the season. The second-line pivot is coming off two, 52-plus point campaigns, recording a combined plus-68 rating and averaging 25 goals. Cirelli should be able to deliver similar numbers this season in a strong Tampa system.

Dube scored a shorthanded goal in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Sharks.

The goal was his first point of the season, and it came on his first shot. He's added three hits, two PIM and a minus-1 rating over three appearances. Dube is filling a fourth-line role, and while he'll compete with Zach Dean and Ross Johnston for playing time, all of those depth forwards should have some stability in their roles during Alexey Toropchenko's (upper body) absence of at least six weeks.

Toffoli scored a goal on four shots and added an assist in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Blues.

Toffoli scored in the second period and assisted on Collin Graf's tally in the third. This was Toffoli's second multi-point effort through four outings this season as he continues to provide offense and experience in a middle-six role. He has two goals, two assists, 11 shots on net, three hits and a plus-2 rating.

Horvat is undergoing evaluation for an upper-body injury he sustained late in the third period of Thursday's game versus the Blackhawks, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

Horvat was caught up high on a Frank Nazar hit. The 31-year-old Horvat racked up two goals, including one on the power play, prior to the injury. If he is unavailable Saturday versus the Lightning, Kyle MacLean will likely enter the lineup, while Brayden Schenn could move from the wing to center to replenish the depth down the middle. Horvat has earned five points over four games this season.

Bourque (upper body) won't finish Thursday's game versus the Canadiens.

Bourque appeared to be hurt during the second period. The 24-year-old forward has collected just one assist over four contests to begin his Nashville tenure. He'll be considered day-to-day due to this injury until the team provides more information.

Celebrini (lower body) won't play Thursday versus the Blues, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.

Celebrini didn't take the ice for warmups after previously being labeled a game-time decision. This will be his second straight game out of the lineup due to the injury. Celebrini's next chance to play is Saturday at home versus the Oilers.

Kapanen (lower body) won't play Thursday versus the Predators, J-F Chaumont of LNH.com reports.

Kapanen is absent from the lineup for a fourth straight game. The center's next chance to play is Saturday versus the Red Wings. Kapanen's ongoing absence has given Florian Xhekaj a chance to play on the fourth line.

Lavoie (undisclosed) will play Thursday versus the Maple Leafs, per Ryan Wallis of Fox Sports Las Vegas.

Lavoie missed the first four games of the campaign due to the undisclosed injury. His return coincides with Victor Olofsson's exit from the lineup due to an undisclosed injury that has left him labeled week-to-week. Lavoie will fill a bottom-six role to start his season.

Celebrini (lower body) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Blues, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Celebrini is considered day-to-day after he was a late scratch for Monday's game against the Stars due to a lower-body injury. He participated in Thursday's morning skate after being evaluated over the past few days, but the Sharks will wait to see how he feels in the hours leading up to Thursday's puck drop before determining his status against St. Louis. Ty Dellandrea is a candidate to remain in the lineup if Celebrini is unavailable.

James (hand) will not be in the lineup versus the Wild on Thursday, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

There had been some speculation that James might be ready to make his season debut versus the Wild, but it seems he will have to wait at least one more outing. For now, the Lightning will continue utilizing seven defensemen while the 24-year-old winger is on the shelf, though they could shift up their deployment when he returns.