TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights will be without goalies Adin Hill and Logan Thompson for Thursday night’s game at the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Thompson (10-5-3, 2.71 goals-against average) left Tuesday night’s 6-3 loss at Carolina early in the third period with an upper-body injury.
Hill (10-2-2, 1.93 GAA) missed the first seven games in December with a lower-body injury and lasted just 6:25 in his return against Ottawa on Dec. 17.
Jiri Patera made his second appearance this season in relief of Thompson on Tuesday. Isaiah Saville was recalled from Henderson of the AHL.
“We’ve got some untested goaltenders going in there, we’ve got play well in front of them,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “For us, every team goes through different parts of the year where you get tested. That’s what we’re doing right now.”
Patera has a 3-0-0 record and a 2.70 goals-against average in four career NHL games. Saville has not appeared in an NHL game.
“I will say this, actually, we’re probably the only team that’s dressing a tandem in the NHL with undefeated goaltenders.” Cassidy said. “That’s the positive, right?”