Bolts by the Bay
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Late Night with the Bolts: Everything to Know before Tonight’s Game in LA

By Henry Yoho

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 29: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning breaks into the Los Angeles Kings zone during a 4-2 Lightning win over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on January 29, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 29: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning breaks into the Los Angeles Kings zone during a 4-2 Lightning win over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on January 29, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Tuesday night is a late night with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Here is everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s 10:30PM game at the Los Angeles Kings.

1. Steven Stamkos is heading to the all-star game for the seventh time in his career. After winning the last man in vote, Stamkos will join Andrei Vasilevskiy and Victor Hedman in Las Vegas as the third member of the Lightning heading to the all-star game. Tampa Bay and Colorado are the only teams who will be sending three players to the game.

2. Ondrej Palat is considered doubtful for tonight’s game. Palat will likely miss his second straight game tonight after leaving last Tuesday’s game in Buffalo early. Palat is likely considered day-to-day while dealing with a nagging injury.

3. Zach Bogosian will miss the next 2 to 3 weeks with a lower body injury. This is another unfortunate break for Bogosian, who has already missed some significant time this season. Injuries are going to happen when you block as many shots as Bogosian as Tampa Bay will face another prolonged stretch without him.

4. The right side of defense is in trouble. In addition to not having Bogosian, Tampa Bay will likely also be without Erik Cernak tonight as well. Cernak left last Thursday’s game after blocking a shot and missed Saturday’s game as well. Cernak is considered doubtful for tonight. Jan Rutta will also be considered a game time decision for tonight. Rutta did not participate in yesterday’s practice and left this morning’s optional morning skate early. Without Rutta and Cernak, Cal Foote and Anrej Sustr will be the only healthy right-handed defensemen.

5. Tuesday night’s game will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Kings. Los Angeles was throttled in San Jose yesterday afternoon. Timo Meier scored five goals for the Sharks against LA as San Jose won 6-2. Tampa Bay beat Los Angeles at home on December 14th, 3-2 in overtime. Mathieu Joseph scored the game-winning goal. Tuesday also marks the first game for the Lightning in Los Angeles since January 29th, 2020. Tampa Bay won that game 4-2.

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