Photo credit: Habsfanatics/NHL
We have an important last-minute announcement from the Tampa Bay Lightning ahead of their game against the Montreal Canadiens.
Contrary to what was initially planned, star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has just been placed on the injured list, confirming that he will not be able to face the Tricolore this Tuesday night.
This is obviously very bad news for the Lightning, and even if you can never celebrate an injury, let’s just say it significantly increases the chances for Martin St-Louis’ squad to pick up a win this Tuesday.
“NEWS: Andrei Vasilevskiy has been moved to IR, so he will miss both games in Toronto and Montreal.
The rule is to be out a minimum of 7 days from the day after the game in which the player was injured.”
– Diandra Loux
Change of plan: the Tampa Bay Lightning will ultimately not be able to count on goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy against the Montreal Canadiens
He was supposed to return to play last weekend, but there was clearly a small setback for the star goaltender. Andrei Vasilevskiy, 31, is a 6-foot-4, 223-pound goaltender who was a first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2012 (19th overall).
In his NHL career, he has a record of 342 wins, 169 losses, and 37 overtime losses, with a goals-against average of 2.51 and an incredible save percentage of .917. This season, for Vasilevskiy, he has an 11-6-2 record, with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
He is definitely one of the best goaltenders of his generation. That said, knowing that Tampa Bay is playing two games in two nights and knowing that their No. 2 goaltender (Jonas Johansson) will be in net tonight, the Lightning could send their No. 3 goalie to face the Habs tomorrow.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics