Vasilevskiy had his 38th shutout./TIM WIRT
Friday, 4 a.m.
As his hot streak enters its eighth season, the world is out of adjectives to describe Andrei Vasilevskiy.
The Big Cat was at it again Thursday night, smothering the Calgary Flames for another victory in their hottest streak of the year. Vasilevskiy threw a shutout — another one — as the Bolts beat Calgary 3-0.
It was Vasilevskiy’s fourth shutout of the year — second most in the NHL — and the 38th of his career. Vasilevskiy is now two wins away from his 30th win of the season, which would be his eighth straight season reaching the goal.
The Bolts have now won seven straight games. They have scored 31 times in the streak.
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Vasileveskiy’s biggest save of the night came in the second period on a power play chance by Jonathan Huberdeau.
“It was clearly a huge save.” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “When Calgary was leaning on us a little bit in the second period, we needed him. He delivered for us. He got us to the third period, and things went our way after that.”
Vasilevskiy was needed. The Bolts had a 1-0 lead going into the third period on a goal by Nikita Kucherov that bounced off a defender’s leg. It was Kucherov’s 27th goal of the season.
Eric Cernak padded the score with a goal at the 3:51 mark of the third period. Brandon Hagel added an empty net goal with 2:59 to play.
Vasilevskiy now has 321 career victories.