Lightning could make surprising lineup change
This would be interesting to say the least.
HockeyFeed
The Tampa Bay Lightning were in prime position, only 20 minutes away from being able to return back to Toronto having tied their series at two games apiece with the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, who are facing enormous scrutiny and pressure to advance past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2004.
However, the Lightning got a bit too comfortable with their three goal lead, which began to evaporate midway through the third period dissolve thanks to a furious comeback effort by the Leafs, capped by the stunning power play goal in overtime by Alex Kerfoot. Coming into tonight's pivotal Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena, it's not the Leafs with their backs up against the wall, but rather the Lightning.
And ahead of tonight's game, it appears as though they could be making a key lineup change. Forward Tanner Jeannot, whom the Lightning acquired from the Nashville Predators at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline for a massive haul of draft capital along with defenseman Cal Foote, could be a healthy scratch.
According to TSN's Chris Johnston, it appears that Jeannot is the odd man out for tonight in favor of Mikey Eyssimont:
"Mikey Eyssimont came off the ice early at a very optional #TBLightning morning skate -- a possible indication he'll draw back in for Game 5.
No confirmation on any changes, but Tanner Jeannot was the last forward to stay on."
Jeannot, who has been held off the scoresheet in the three games that he's played in so far during the postseason (he missed Game 1 due to a lower body injury), has skated in an average of 13:21 of ice time while racking up a fighting major along with a -2 plus/minus rating.
