TAMPA – Andrei Vassilevski stretched as wide as possible, distorting his body and stretching his right pad in a way that makes a casual observer feel pain of sympathy.
This extra effort will be invaluable, allowing Tampa Bay Lightning to step under them and not get overwhelmed after missing the first two games of the Stanley Cup final on Colorado Avelanche.
When the Avalanche striker JT Compher saw the juicy bounce bounce in his direction, you can be sure that he thought it would be an easy goal, a kind of goal that would provide an early spark and a way to silence the crowd.
Instead, it was an amazing save and a sign that Vassilevski is locked up and ready to return after conceding a staggering seven goals in losing match 2.
“At this point, I forget what the outcome of the game was when this game happened, but it’s almost one of those games you think about, it just lands on his stick and it’s almost a guaranteed goal,” said Lightning winger Alex Kilorn. on Tuesday. “In terms of momentum, it’s great for us to get back in the game. I think that’s one of the things with Vassi, he’s able to make those saves that look almost like goals. “
Although Avalanche would still find the result in match 3, this was the only time they held the lead in the match – a 6-2 victory for the hosts – and there is no doubt that Vassilevski is returning to superhuman level. of the main reasons why Lightning managed to get off the mat and reduce the series deficit to 2-1 in Wednesday’s game (20:17 ET, Sportsnet).
Vassilevski’s ability to go back is a legend, a reputation built on hard work and pure determination.
He is the best goalkeeper for money on the planet and did not intend to allow his team to fall behind 0-3.
“You can learn a lot from him and his mental endurance. He is always there, “said Lightning defender Mihail Sergachev. “It’s not like taking a break. He is always there, always making these crazy saves and sometimes we play badly for him, but we try to be like him.
“We try to show up every night so he can be happy. We try to make him happy. But he’s actually the strongest psychic I’ve ever met. “
This mental strength is part of the reason why Lightning head coach John Cooper chose to leave Vassilevski in the game on Saturday night for the third period, although his team is 5-0 behind after 40 minutes.
Although Cooper said several times in the series that he simply did not like to pull Vassilevsky under almost any circumstances, this seemed like an opportunity to include reserve Brian Elliott for the third period.
Not as a punishment, but as a way for Vassilevski to start the reset process, knowing full well that he has to be the sharpest in game 4.
As it turned out, Cooper knew what his goalkeeper needed more than the coaches in the chair, including yours really – who was in Vassilevski’s camp.
Cooper has been around Vassilevsky long enough to know that he will not be discouraged by the two extra goals of Cale McCarthy, who beat him in the third period, even if his body language and slack shoulders may suggest otherwise.
The truth was that Vassilevsky still prevented Avalanche from reaching a double-digit number with several saves, including stopping the gloves to deprive Valery Nichushkin of a hat-trick.
Having to sit in seven places between games is not an easy obstacle to overcome, but it is something that Vassilevski has become better at in his eight-year NHL career.
“His mental growth has been phenomenal over the last six to seven years. “I think this type of loss (in Game 2) in 2014 or 2015, the losses are painful, but that would have stayed with him longer,” Cooper said. “It simply came to our notice then.
“Goalkeeper, he’s the last line of defense. Every time he scores a goal, everyone watches him. And being able to have that ability to turn the page is (it’s) different because you have two days to turn the page, but when came in naked, you have to turn the page for 10 seconds when the puck falls. I think it was his gift that made him great, the ability to turn the page. “
The Lightning, along with Vassilevsky, did a great job of turning the page after the one-sided loss, and we are now on the verge of finding out whether the two-time defending champions can tie the series or face elimination on Friday night when the series returns to Denver.
Vassilevski will have to play at an elite level as the series resumes, given how Avalanche responded to losses previously with exceptional effort in Games 3 and 6 of the second round series with St. Louis Blues.
“Yes, we just have to keep peppering it,” said Avalanche defender Devon Tose. “We feel that if we put enough chances on him, we will get our goal opportunities and we feel that we are entering good zones to score right now.
“He is a great goalkeeper. He is very athletic. And that’s why he’s one of the best in the world right now. And every night is a challenge to try to get past it with puck. We just have to hit our targets. ”
Lightning striker Nick Paul had enough experience in the game against Vasilevsky before being acquired by the Ottawa Senators in the NHL exchange deadline, but was impressed by the evidence of how the goalkeeper works on a daily basis.
“He always recruited. I think that makes him such a good goalkeeper, “said Paul, who led the winner in Game 3, despite struggling with a lower body problem. “There are no days off for him. He is always focused. He takes everything seriously. Then, when it’s time to play, you see it.
“When a big rescue has to be made, he does it. He is just amazing. He is the best goalkeeper. You can find out with his routines and how he takes care of himself every day, that there is a reason to be the best.
Vassilevski’s ability to steal games is something Lightning has relied on many times, especially in the last few seasons during his run for the Stanley Cup final.
They know how valuable it is for their success and never take it for granted.
“It simply came to our notice then. He is a special player who doesn’t show up very often, “said Lightning defender Zak Bogosyan. “So obviously we are very happy to have him and he is the backbone of this organization while he is here. It’s impressive to see. “
Immerse yourself deeper in the Cup final
The avalanche dominated. Then Lightning refused to give up. Before game 3, here’s what you need to know.
• Controlled lightning: After a 7-0 loss in which they could not stop the match with an attack, Lightning controlled the only thing they could control.
• Ice poker: It is easy to look at Kucherov’s behavior and make hasty conclusions about the level of his care. But this signals a failure to recognize the location of most of his heavy lifting – his brain.
• McKinnon doesn’t score. This is a problem: After a night in which the stars of Lightning shone brightly, it is impossible to ignore the fact that McKinnon has not yet scored a goal in the final.
• Lightning finds life: Give up nine unanswered goals in the championship and the mood can quickly get gloomy. There was blood in the water. But there was no panic.
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