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The NHL named Andrei Vasilevskiy the third star of January. The Russian goaltender posted an impressive 9-0-1 record in the previous month, recording a .948 save percentage and 1.58 goals per game. In terms of advanced stats he also belongs to the top of the league: he’s the second in the league with 6.71 GSAA and sixth with 3.78 GSAx at even strength over the last month according to Evolving-hockey.com.
Andrei Vasilevskiy was a BEAST in the month of January. pic.twitter.com/xl2vbWArUs
— NHL (@NHL) February 1, 2020
It’s very relieving to see Vasilevskiy returning to his las season’s form. His lack of confidence was the main reason for the Lightning’s slow start to the season. As Alan noticed in his ten game report, it’s a long term trend, and it’s a promising sign with the approaching playoffs.
It’s the first time ever that Vasilevskiy has been awarded the NHL Third Star of the month award and also the first award ever for the Tampa Bay Lightning goalie. In previous times Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos were honoured multiple times with this award, both players have won the first star of the month three times during their careers.
Lightning Org News
The Tampa Bay Lightning have swept the series of games in California. Last night they shut out the San Jose Sharks, recording the third consecutive win against the Californian teams [Raw Charge]
36-year-old goaltender Curtis McElhinney stopped all 30 shots he faced from the San Jose Sharks in a 3-0 Tampa Bay Lightning victory on Saturday night for his first shutout of the season and 11th of his career. Steven Stamkos got the game-winning goal in the second, while Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat provided the insurance markers in the third. I encourage watching the Kucherov marker, it was sweet.
Are you kidding?????? pic.twitter.com/YAvmjQRfS8
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 2, 2020
The Syracuse Crunch unfortunately couldn’t support the Bolts and lost matchup to the Providence Bruins. Taylor Raddish scored both goals for Syracuse.
Raddysh led the way with a two-goal period, but Providence still has a 3-2 lead. #PROvsSYR
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) February 2, 2020
Intermission report presented by @gannonpest. pic.twitter.com/zt6Urt5F5T
The Crunch are holding the Miracle on Ice Night on February 14 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of legendary game.
“Do you believe in Miracles? YES!” pic.twitter.com/lpTYgOnrCN
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) February 1, 2020
The Orlando Solar bears defeated the Wheeling Nailers in their second game of the weekend.
Solar Bears win! Alexey Lipanov's sixth power-play goal stands as the game-winner and sets a Solar Bears rookie record for PP goals. #OSBatWHL pic.twitter.com/DqZcPrc7Jz
— Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) February 2, 2020
Other Hockey News
Two other stars of the month are Alex Ovechkin and Leon Draisaitl. During the last month Alex Ovechkin scored 13 goals in 10 games, winning the first star of the month award for the first time since April 2013. Leon Draisaitl scored 17 points in nine games and is leading the NHL in points this season. The Chicago Blackhawks’ Dominik Kubalik has been named a Rookie of the month.
Alex Ovechkin (@Capitals), Leon Draisaitl (@EdmontonOilers) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (@TBLightning) have been named the NHL's “Three Stars” for the month of January.#NHLStats: https://t.co/GuoyUMM58W pic.twitter.com/YdHniMqeZk
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 1, 2020
Dominik Kubalik is your Rookie of the Month.
— NHL (@NHL) February 1, 2020
Read more at @NHLdotcom ➡️ https://t.co/Ss6F56VyFi pic.twitter.com/pI1Z475pU8
A former Lightning player Valtteri Filppula played in his 1000 career game in the NHL last night.
Congrats on 1⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣, Val! pic.twitter.com/WqUWB984GC
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 2, 2020
A Swedish centre Alexander Steen has also joined the 1000-game club
Career game No. 1,000 for Alexander Steen (@Steener20).
— NHL (@NHL) February 2, 2020
Congrats on the milestone! pic.twitter.com/L1aLyHXp23
Goalie fight in the Battle of Alberta game!
All hell breaks loose in the Battle of Alberta, including a goalie fight between Mike Smith and Cam Talbot pic.twitter.com/7YRcWnFbEx
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 2, 2020
The New Jersey Devils celebrated the 20th anniversary of their 2000 Stanley Cup victory.
Two decades later...it’s his time.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 2, 2020
#2000CupNight | @budlight. pic.twitter.com/0twqMjEkMt
The Next Game
The Lightning play next on Tuesday back at Amalie Arena against the Vegas Golden Knights who are currently trying to hold on to third place in the Pacific Division. If you’d like to see the Lightning take on the Knights in person, check out our affiliate link at StubHub.