Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy celebrated his 100th playoff start in style, as the Lightning defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-3 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This victory marked Vasilevskiy’s 62nd playoff win, putting him in the company of an elite group of NHL goaltenders who have achieved 62 or more wins within their first 100 playoff starts.
Vasilevskiy now stands alongside Patrick Roy (62), Jacques Plante (67), Grant Fuhr (71), Ken Dryden (72), and Billy Smith (74) as the only goaltenders in NHL history to reach this milestone. The 28-year-old Russian netminder has been a cornerstone of the Lightning franchise since being drafted 19th overall in 2012.
With a Vezina Trophy in the 2018-19 season, a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2020-21, and two Stanley Cups in 2019-20 and 2020-21, Vasilevskiy has solidified his place as one of the league’s top goaltenders. His playoff career boasts an impressive 2.31 goals against average (GAA), a save percentage (SV%) of .923, and seven shutouts.
As the playoffs continue, Vasilevskiy will be a crucial factor in Tampa Bay’s quest for another championship. His outstanding performances have earned him a well-deserved spot among the NHL’s all-time greats, and there is no doubt that he will continue to play a significant role in the Lightning’s success for years to come.
