Vasilevskiy leads Bolts to win over Ducks

by Gary Shelton on November 25, 2019

in general

Vasilevskiy stopped 36 shots in become Bols' all-time winning goalie./ CHUCK MULLEr

Sunday, 4 a.m

He is 25 years old. He just got here.

He is brand new. He is still learning the language.

And, already, he is the best the Tampa Bay Lightning has ever had.

Andrei Vasilevskiy became the Lightning's all-time winningest goaltender Saturday night, beating back the Anaheim Ducks in a 6-2 victory for his 132nd win, passing Ben Bishop in five fewer games. The win moved Vasilevskiy's season record to 8-6.

The Lighting is 11-7-2 on the year.


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Point watches his first of two goals squirt by Anaheim's Miller./CHUCK MULLER

“How about what he meant for us in the game tonight?" said Lightning coach Jon Cooper of Vasilevskiy, who had 36 saves? "When they were pressing us in the second perio? He was lights out? But to be honest, he really accomplished that pretty quick. I was surprises when he was inching toward it. It was going ot be that quick. He was pretty talented. He’s been a horse in for a number of years. He’s going to be in the future if he stays healthy  It's going to be a tough record to break when it’s said and done for him"

Vasilevskiy gave credit to Bishop.

"Ben was great to me and to my family." Vasilevskiy said. "He was not teacher...my mentor...my goalie coach. I hope there are more wins ahead. I believe that I deserve better fate in more games this season. Something you cannot control like bounces. Tonight i got my bounces and got good goals scored."

Brayden Point scored twice for the Bolts. Nikita Kucherov, Ondrej Palat, Patrik Maroon and Anthony Cerilli scored for Tampa Bay.

Cerilli had an assist to Kucherov and scored on a sprawling power play.

"He’s always doing that," Cooper said . "He does what's difficult. he’s ferocious after it.It's second, third. fourth, fifth effort. He never gives up on a play. That's why he’s become quite a valuable piece on our team."

The Lightning is home against Buffalo on Monday night at Amalie Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m.

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