The Bolts
The last installment of our Player Grades series was released yesterday. [Raw Charge]
Overall, Vasilevskiy’s save percentage was 0.925, good for eighth among all starting goaltenders. At 5v5, his save percentage was 0.929, good for 13th among all starting goaltenders. Both of these are very good and shouldn’t be discounted. However, Vasilevskiy stands out among his peers in the penalty kill department. While down a man, Vasilevskiy’s save percentage was 0.911, the best among all starting goaltenders. The next starting goaltender was Devan Dubynk at 0.901. The only other goaltenders near him were Carter Hart (31 games 0.906 SV%) and Alexander Georgiev (33 games 0.913 SV%). Vasilevskiy was on another level when the Lightning were killing penalties.
Speaking of Vasy, he made another unbelievable save at the World Championship against Finland.
Another angle. #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/jB5bkmGe4f
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisTHN) May 25, 2019
Vasilevskiy had a strong game against Finland, but it didn’t help team Russia and they lost to Finland in their semifinal. Vasilevskiy and Kucherov, alongside with Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov, have been named the players of the tournament for Team Russia. They’ll face the Czech Republic in the bronze medal game today.
Defenseman Mikhail Sergachyov noted the good performances of the opposing goalkeeper and defensemen in the defeat to Finland.
More: https://t.co/e75bDRwINY #IIHFWorlds #TeamRussia pic.twitter.com/2arDMPsAXz
— Russia Hockey (@russiahockey_en) May 25, 2019
In the other semifinal, Canada defeated the Czech Republic. Anthony Cirelli and Mathieu Joseph are the only Lightning players who will play in the Final.
🇷🇺 will battle it out with 🇨🇿 for the bronze while Cirelli, Joseph, and 🇨🇦 go for gold at #IIHFWorlds ⬇️ https://t.co/3vs5dVPec9
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) May 25, 2019
The Game
The Stanley Cup Final is starting tomorrow. Here’s a list of players who played in the AHL at some point in their careers.
Are you ready for the #StanleyCup Final?
Take a look at some of the #AHLAlumni who will be competing for the @NHL‘s ultimate prize this year.
→ https://t.co/9b6H5tdIsG pic.twitter.com/VXV4z0zyQX
— AHL (@TheAHL) May 25, 2019
The Stanley Cup Trophy was seen at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday.
Everyone knows Andrettis are huge hockey fans….so the Stanley Cup at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today was awesome. Don’t tell the NHL authorities, but I gave it a ride in my 2-seater. Lord Stanley has gone 200mph! @NHL @NHLonNBCSports @TomReidsPub pic.twitter.com/TghNlfwFyn
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) May 25, 2019
Nothing specifically related to the Tampa Bay Lightning was shared in the latest edition of 31 Thoughts, although Elliotte Friedman mentioned that Erik Karlsson “would like to see if Tampa Bay can make it work”. [Sportsnet.ca]
Some interesting thoughts about a possible Phil Kessel trade:
Here’s my sense of what’s going on with Phil Kessel: he vetoed a trade to Minnesota and the story is out because both teams are unhappy. He cannot be traded to the Wild without specific approval, and, if you know Kessel, you know he will stand up for his rights no matter what anyone else thinks. The fact it got out may make it even harder to complete, because he’ll push back against pressure
And about the possibility of NHL players playing at the 2022 Olympic Games:
It is expected that the International Ice Hockey Federation will want to know by September 2020 if the NHLers are going to the Beijing Olympics.
According to this person, who has had some Oilers scoops in the past, Milan Lucic could have been traded last season, but Peter Chiarelli’s prices for him were comically high.
From an Oilers blogger who’s broken some stuff before:
Chiarelli wanted a 1st, a B grade prospect and a top 6 forward for Lucic. pic.twitter.com/iRYBSccM7D
— Kawhi not us? (@Account4hockey) May 25, 2019
Former Syracuse Crunch and Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike McKenna talked about the Stanley Cup Final.
AUDIO: Long-time pro goalie @MikeMcKenna56 talked about the #StanleyCupFinal goalie match-up, @StLouisBlues hysteria in his hometown, his https://t.co/thVVCRibOw goalie blog, and his new podcast on today’s #BigJabSaturday w/Mannix & Mannix: https://t.co/WwkyZTRb0D #BigJab
— Jeff Mannix (@JeffMannix) May 25, 2019
This article can help you to understand what’s happening in Women’s professional hockey
My latest for @sportingnewsca: Women’s professional hockey is at a crossroads, and the future remains uncertain https://t.co/yADg1XmDbB
— Mike Murphy (@DigDeepBSB) May 25, 2019
