The Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender has been sidelined this morning with Lower-Body Injury as the Bolts prepare to take on the Ottawa Senators.
The Tampa Bay Lightning has become no stranger to injuries this season. Right now, there are more than a few Bolts players with nagging injuries, some more serious than others. Regrettably, another name was added to the list this morning by the Lightning.
The Lightning announced this morning goaltender Louis Domingue is considered to be day-to-day with a Lower-Body Injury. It is unclear at this point as to the nature of Domingue’s injury, but it looks as if this is something that he’s been dealing with for quite some time now.
According to Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Reporter Caley Chelios, Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper stated Domingue’s injury is “something that’s been lingering.” Thankfully, the Lightning is in the perfect position to allow Domingue the time he needs in order to be prepared for the postseason.
The Lightning has already captured the Triple Crown, which is the top spot in the Atlantic Division, the Eastern Conference, and the winners of the Presidents’ Trophy. In other words, the Lightning can focus on getting healthy and being as healthy as possible heading into the playoffs.
Louis Domingue has been absolutely fantastic for the Lightning this season. Domingue has taken his place between the pipes in 26 games this season. In this amount of time, the 27-year-old netminder has maintained a record of 21-5-0 with a Goals Against Average of 2.88 and a Save Percentage of .908.
Domingue went on one heck of a hot streak early on in the season. When Andrei Vasilevskiy went down with a fractured foot, Domingue stepped into the number one role. In the 14 games Domingue played during Vasy’s absence, he went 11-3-0 with a Goals Against Average of 2.71 and a Save Percentage of .907.
The Lightning has recalled goaltender Eddie Pasquale to take Domingue’s place in the lineup and provide backup to Andrei Vasilevskiy. It is unknown at this point how long Domingue will need to miss due to his injury, but judging by Coach Cooper’s comments, it seems as if this is a precautionary move at the moment and Domingue could very well be ready to go by the start of the postseason.
The Lightning has quite a challenge in front of them tonight. The Bolts head to the Canadian Tire Centre to kick off their final back-to-back series of the 2018-19 season as they take on the Ottawa Senators. The Lightning currently controls the season series 2-1 against the Senators.
As we all know by now, the Lightning has little to nothing to lose at this point. If a player like Domingue needs a couple of days, or even a full week, off in order to get fully healthy and ready to go by the start of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, we say give it to them.
In one week’s time, the entire landscape of the National Hockey League is going to change. All past accomplishments go out the window and the race starts anew with the start of the postseason. The Tampa Bay Lightning has a long journey ahead, and the best thing they can do is be healthy and prepared.