Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson knows his job and is happy to perform it every day.

Even when it means not seeing a high volume of NHL starts, Johansson relishes every moment as the second goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning behind franchise pillar Andrei Vasilevskiy.

“I just try to do my best every night, every day, and help the team get as many points, as many wins as we can,” Johansson said. “Whether that’s in the net or pumping up the teammates, I’ve got to do my best every day to be there for the team.”

Johansson could see his first start of the 2024-25 season tonight as the team wraps up its first back-to-back, beginning in Toronto on Monday and ending with tonight’s game in New Jersey.

Johansson, a third-round pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2014 NHL Draft, is in his second season in Tampa Bay. The team signed the Swedish goalie to a two-year contract last summer.

The 29-year-old goalie has been on an NHL roster for the past six seasons split between Buffalo, the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay.

He saw his biggest NHL workload last season, manning the Lightning net to begin the 2023-24 season while Vasilevskiy was injured. He finished the season with a career-best 12-7-5 record and was crucial in keeping the Lightning in the playoff race while their usual starter was out.

The 6-foot-5 Johansson won four of his final five starts last season. He said he enjoys playing alongside Vasilevskiy, the franchise’s all-time wins leader.

“He’s been one of the best in the game for such a long time,” Johansson said of his goalie partner. “So, it’s great being able to work with him and it’s making me a better goalie, too.”

Bolts defenseman Ryan McDonagh said the team feels confident in both backstops, pointing out that the goaltenders share some common traits, including their towering height and playstyle.

“I think that helps as far as their style, as far as blocking and rebounds, and they’re both very good at playing the puck and want to go out there and play the puck, so that helps as defenseman when you’re talking about picking off rims and breaking pucks out,” McDonagh said. “So, I think they’re pretty similar in that aspect.”

Johansson knows that Vasilevskiy will again see the bulk of the starts this season as the latter maintains his status as one of the league’s premier goaltenders. That doesn’t mean, however, that Johansson won’t be ready when coach Jon Cooper calls for No. 31 in net.

“I feel like I always have a good level when I’m playing, and that’s something I’ve been working on over the years,” Johansson said. “I feel confident in my game. I know what I’m able to do and know what I need to do to play well, so I feel like that’s probably one of my strengths.”

The Lightning appreciate Johansson, who often stays out late for extra shots and reps after practices and morning skates. Whenever it is Johansson’s turn for the net, McDonagh said he will have full support from his team.

“You obviously get excited for your backup when he gets a start because they work so dang hard to stay prepared and never know when they’re gonna get called on,” McDonagh said. “So, when he makes his debut, whenever that is, we’ll be excited for him.”