At the start of the series, one might have thought that Vasilevskiy could surely make the Lightning forget their very ordinary last two months.
But
not at all…
https://t.
Luc Gelinas (@LucGelinasRDS) April 25, 2023
Andrei Vasilevskiy: one of the worst playoff starts for a goalie since 1984
Auteur: Manuel Sperandio-Lemay![Andrei Vasilevskiy: one of the worst playoff starts for a goalie since 1984](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2023/04/Vasilevskiy.jpg)
The Maple Leafs are one win away from the second round after a superb comeback last night. Well,here’s an exhaustive list of all the reasons why Habs fans are happy to see the Maple Leafs lead 3-1 in their first-round series against the Lightning: Seriously, aside from the fact that the Maple Leafs currently have a better chance than the Oilers or Jets of keeping a Canadian team alive, there’s not much for CH fans to cheer about right now.
And for those who voted “Yes” in 1995, there’s nothing exciting about seeing Toronto performlike this. Of course, we know the series isn’t over. We know that the Maple Leafs, if they’re going to lose in seven games as tradition dictates, must win three beforehand. But this year, things look a little different. The club looks “built to win”, as they say. #Oups
We often talk about the importance of momentum to get into the playoffs, and clearly, the Lightning didn’t have any in the final months of the season. It didn’t show up in the first game of the series, but it’s been evident ever since. Is the club tired of three years of making it to the finals? Did the Lightning wake up the sleeping bear when they pummeled the Leafs in the first game of the series? I don’t know. But what I do know is that, right now, everything is going swimmingly for the team from the Queen City.
SHEESH, feels like a game the Leafs would be on the losing side of đ đž:
IG/dudewithsportssign pic.twitter.com/teosD2IjA1– BarDown (@BarDown) April 25, 2023
Tanner Jeannot series highlight montage so far pic.twitter.com/JhuTBIvwvr
– Ah yes, the Leafs (@LeafsAllDayy) April 23, 2023
But if we’re going to talk about the series, we have to talk about the Tampa goaltender. Andrei Vasilevskiy is the best goaltender in the NHL, in my opinion. Once in the playoffs, he usually becomes even more invincible, but this year, that’s not the case. In fact, historically, it’s not the case. Since 1984, only two goalies have given up more goals (and I should say singular goals, because that’s only one more) than Vasilevskiy in their first four playoff games.
In my opinion, if I were a little fly in the Lightning management office, I’d learn that this wasn’t on the Florida team’s bingo card. And you know what? It must be the same in the Toronto offices. I don’t know if it’s fatigue or if something personal is playing on the Russian-born goalie’s mind, but right now, he’s not himself at a time when his teammates need him to be. He’ll have to give up fewer goals at the blocker end to start with, in order to give his team confidence. Does Carey Pr- ah pis laissez faire.
In gusto
– Still.
Jon Bon Jovi was in Maple Leafs dressing room after the victory. pic.twitter.com/D1KDcf1ued
– Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) April 25, 2023
– We’ll be wondering all summer.
Who’s staying, who’s leaving? pic.twitter.com/LorMwXqCTa
– L’Antichambre (@Antichambre) April 25, 2023
– At least in baseball, things are going well for Tampa.
They’re also still undefeated at home. https://t.co/flnc8WAfzw –
Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) April 25, 2023
– Mets cheer on Rangers.
Mets’ Pete Alonso, Tomas Nido and Luis Guillorme raise drink to Rangers at Garden https://t.co/eTzbDDD4AK pic.twitter.com/aODX5EWBmA
– New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) April 25, 2023
– Yes.
“Culture starts with pride!”
–
Vincent Damphousse pic.twitter.com/fr78dUx3tm
– L’Antichambre (@Antichambre) April 25, 2023