Lightning's Tyler Johnson: Could return Thursday

Johnson (lower body) could return to the lineup for Thursday's matchup with the Maple Leafs, but coach Jon Cooper said that would be the best-case scenario, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

Johnson will miss his third game in a row Tuesday, and judging by this very tentative status report, it's looking like he could miss a fourth Thursday. The American pivot had been cruising on offense before going down with the injury, netting three goals and adding eight assists in the 10 games prior.