Dec 28, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) shoots as New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) defends during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Lightning’s Jake Guentzel Out Day-to-Day with Upper-Body Injury

Tampa Bay forward Jake Guentzel sidelined for the first time this season; team adjusts lineup as top scorer recovers.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be without star forward Jake Guentzel temporarily, as he has been listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. The injury kept Guentzel out of Tampa Bay’s lineup for their Sunday game against the Montreal Canadiens.

This marks Guentzel’s first absence of the season. He has been a key contributor to Tampa Bay’s top line, amassing 20 goals and 37 points in 33 games. These stats place him second on the team in goals and fourth in overall points, underscoring the strength of the Lightning’s offense.

Concerns arose earlier this year when longtime captain Steven Stamkos departed, but Guentzel’s impact has helped Tampa Bay remain a scoring powerhouse.

Lightning's Jake Guentzel Day-To-Day, Michael Eyssimont Returnshttps://t.co/xaTrzoUrcb
— Pro Hockey Rumors (@prohockeyrumors) December 30, 2024

The team has scored 132 goals this season, the second-highest in the NHL, with 98 of those goals coming from their top-six forwards. Sustaining this momentum will depend on players like Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, and Brayden Point stepping up until Guentzel recovers.

Also Read : Auston Matthews Misses Capitals Game Due to Upper-Body Injury

In Guentzel’s absence, Michael Eyssimont rejoined the lineup on Sunday after missing the previous game with a lower-body injury. Eyssimont resumed his usual role on the fourth line, while Cam Atkinson was promoted to the top line. Neither player found the net during the game. Both Eyssimont and Atkinson have recorded three goals and five points this season—Atkinson in 20 games and Eyssimont in 31.

Jake Evans Extends Scoring Streak to 5 Games as Canadiens Win Over Lightning

Jake Evans scored in his fifth consecutive game, helping the Montreal Canadiens secure a 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Sunday. Joel Armia recorded a goal and an assist, while Alexandre Carrier added two assists for the Canadiens (16-17-3), who defeated the Florida Panthers 4-0 on Saturday and have now won five of their last six games. Sam Montembeault made 21 saves in the win.

Brandon Hagel and Nikita Kucherov scored for the Lightning (20-12-2), who entered the game on a two-game winning streak after defeating the New York Rangers 6-2 on Saturday. Jonas Johansson stopped 32 shots in the loss. Alex Newhook opened the scoring for Montreal at 12:07 of the first period, firing a one-timer from the hash marks off a feed from Mike Matheson to give the Canadiens a 1-0 lead.

5 goals in 5 games for Jake Evans! ✅ pic.twitter.com/XVQ6zsrdjq
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 30, 2024

Hagel tied the game for Tampa Bay just 37 seconds into the second period, ripping a wrist shot from the high slot to make it 1-1. Christian Dvorak put Montreal back in front at 12:34, deflecting a shot from Kaiden Guhle past Johansson to make it 2-1. Evans extended the Canadiens’ lead to 3-1 at 18:28, finishing a 2-on-1 rush with a short-side shot that beat Johansson.

Kucherov quickly responded for the Lightning at 18:54, tapping in a rebound after Montembeault failed to control Brayden Point’s initial shot, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Armia restored Montreal’s two-goal lead at 12:32 of the third period. Emil Heineman stripped Mitchell Chaffee of the puck in the neutral zone, skated in alone, and set up Armia for a one-timer to make it 4-2.

Brendan Gallagher sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 18:08, finalizing the score at 5-2. Lightning forward Jake Guentzel was a last-minute scratch and is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Image Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Tampa Bay Lightning

Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!