It took 18 games into the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs for Andrei Vasilevskiy to allow a five-hole goal. Wait, what?
Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final began on Wednesday between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche. Hockey fans have a lot to look forward to in this series with all the star power on display, and so far Game 1 has not disappointed.
With the first period only halfway over, the Avalanche took a 2-0 lead on the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. A terrible turnover in the defensive zone for the Lightning turned into a golden chance for Valeri Nichushkin all alone in front, as he zipped the puck past Vasilevskiy and sent the home Avalanche fans into a frenzy.
And BIG OL’ VAL. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/ZJEnleJwzZ
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 16, 2022
Vasilevskiy certainly wants that soft goal back for sure, especially given the caliber of goaltender we know he can be. The wildest part, however, is that goal was the first goal of these playoffs that caught Vasilevskiy between the legs.
Yes, really!
That’s incredible stuff. We know Vasilevskiy is a sensational goaltender in his own right, but to not allow a five-hole goal until Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is something else. Of course, he will need to be better for the Lightning as the team looks to three-peat.
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