Quick Strikes: The dawn of the goalie controversy

The Bolts

The goalie controversy begins. “Vasilevskiy, 22, is playing like a No. 1 in his stellar start, entering Saturday leading the league in goals-against average (1.50) and save percentage (.951). He has won four straight starts and six of his eight overall, with two shutouts. Vasilev­skiy said the more he plays, the more comfortable he gets. And it shows.” [Tampa Bay Times]

Morning cuteness (all this thread is missing is a reply from Vinny):

Bolts Jolts takes a close look at TBL’s third jerseys and whether our superstitions about them old true. “Over the past few years however, I have noticed there is in fact a correlation with fans attitudes in relation to these jerseys. People that like the third jerseys tend to lean towards the side of the Lightning often playing well in them.” [Bolts Jolts]

Speaking of that game, Luke Witkowski’s lone NHL point in three seasons of play was taken away from him. He was in good humor about it, though:

“The Lightning is looking to bounce back from what Cooper called a ‘stinker’ of a loss at home as it begins a three-game road trip today at Boston.” Getting mad is the best way to get even. [Tampa Bay Times]

“The Tampa Bay Lightning must prepare to take on the “big, bad” Boston Bruins at the TD Garden in Boston. As most Lightning fans know by now, the Lightning does not have a very good record at the TD Garden.” [Bolts by the Bay]

Another fine lipsynch by the Syracuse Crunch!

The League

Whew, this is some shade at Guy Boucher. “They let you play here, they let you play to your strengths,” Puempel said after the Rangers’ 3-2 victory over the Flyers in which he beat Steve Mason from close in off a gorgeous backhand feed from Jimmy Vesey at 14:50 of the first period. “They know there are going to be mistakes. They’re not barking at you every time you come off the ice. It’s beneficial.” [New York Post]

“[Zach Bogosian] and his wife, Bianca, have created the Bogo Bunch Foundation. Its goal is to create a family atmosphere for those in need, especially people battling cancer. His grandmother, Armen, succumbed to lymphoma in 2013.” [Buffalo News]

Former Solar Bear goaltender Garret Sparks has been suspended indefinitely by the Maple Leafs. [Pension Plan Puppets]

Thank you, Matt Carle. “It has been an honor to be a player in the National Hockey League and play for four great organizations over the past 12 seasons,” Carle said in a statement released by the Predators. “At this time, I have decided to retire as a National Hockey League player. I want to thank the San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Nashville Predators for the opportunity to play for each organization.” [Puck Daddy]

The headline on this one: Highly Unlikely the Toronto Maple Leafs Can Successfully Oppose Snoop Dogg. [Forbes]