Vasilevskiy Sets Franchise Mark With 18th Career Shutout
Nikita Kucherov, Yanni Gourde, and Tyler Johnson each scored and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped all 20 shots he faced as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-0.
The victory extends the Lightning win streak to five straight games and their point streak to nine straight (7-0-2). Their record sits at 44-11-4 (92-points) and they have yet to lose in February (7-0-2).
It was Andrei Vasilevskiy‘s second consecutive shutout, sixth on the season, and fifth in his last 14 starts. It was the first time Tampa Bay had registered back-to-back shutouts since December 31, 2017 (at Columbus) and January 2, 2018 (at Toronto Maple Leafs).
Most noteworthy though, it was his 18th career shutout setting the franchise mark previously held by Ben Bishop.
“There’s not a lot that can be said about Vasy that all of us don’t already know.” Steven Stamkos said. Adding that “he’s [Vasilevskiy] just so competitive, he wants to make every single save. The last two games he has. It’s obviously fun to be part of that because it makes our job easier to go and just have to get one.”
Coach Jon Cooper was quick to point out how fortunate Tampa Bay fans have been in being able to watch both Bishop and now Vasilevskiy over the past six seasons. “I’ll tell you, goaltenders can mask a lot of mistakes and those two guys are a big part of our success with this franchise.” Cooper said. “Placing it where it is now, Vasy’s taken the baton and kept it going, so I can’t say enough about those two guys. It’s great watching Vasy really just come into his own in this league at such a young age. I couldn’t be more happy for him.”
Vasilevskiy, a man of few words, simply said of the record, “It’s cool. Bish is an unbelievable goalie, and I’m pretty proud to be number one now in shutouts.”
Carey Price made 34 saves in a losing effort as the Montreal Canadiens fall to 31-20-7 (69-points) on the season.
Lightning Notes:
- Nikita Kucherov scored the games first goal 2:16 into the third period on the Bolts second power play. The goal was his NHL leading 37th point on the power play this season. It was his 27th goal of the season and extended his point streak to eight straight games versus Montreal.
- Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat each added an assist on Kucherov’s goal. With the assist Stamkos extends his points streak to five straight games (4-6–10).
- Yanni Gourde scored the games second goal at the 3:41 mark of the third period. It was his 16th goal of the season and Nikita Kucherov picked up an assist.
- It was the fourth straight multi-point game for Kucherov who now has an NHL leading 94-points (27-67–94).
- The assist was his 67th of the season leaving him just one assist shy of tying the Lightning franchise mark for assists in a season held by Martin St. Louis (2010-11) and Brad Richards (2005-06).
- Tyler Johnson scored the Lightnings third goal. It was his 21st goal of the season. Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat each picked up an assist on the goal.
- Mathieu Joseph played in his 50th career NHL game.
Gif of The Game:
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) February 17, 2019
Up Next:
Tampa Bay heads up to Ohio to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night at 7:30. Montreal heads to Sunrise for a matchup against the Panthers tomorrow night at 7:00.
