Lightning’s Puppa Is Facing Surgery

Tampa Bay Lightning starting goaltender Daren Puppa will undergo surgery today at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood to repair a herniated disk in his back, the team said.

Puppa is expected to return this season, though a timetable has not been set. He will return to Tampa Bay by the end of the week to begin rehabilitation.

Backup goaltender Corey Schwab, who was acquired in an off-season trade with the New Jersey Devils, has started 12 of the team’s last 13 games, posting a 5-6-1 record with a 2.86 goals-against average.