The NHL is slowly starting to unveil their nominees for this season’s awards. First up is the Vezina Trophy for best goalie of the regular season. Andrei Vasilevskiy is one of the three finalists, alongside Vegas Golden Knights starter Marc-Andre Fleury and Colorado Avalanche goalie Philipp Grubauer.
Marc-Andre Fleury (@GoldenKnights), Philipp Grubauer (@Avalanche) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (@TBLightning) are the three finalists for the 2020-21 Vezina Trophy. https://t.co/kbe35DGGtR #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/166QYfMrFA
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 1, 2021
Unfortunately for Vasy, the media campaign was in favor of MAF, so it’s unlikely he’s going to win. However, Vasy did finish first in wins, a key stat among the electorate. I was surprised to see Connor Hellebuyck not on the list, as he had a very good season for Winnipeg, but the reigning champ can’t win it a second time in a row for some reason.
Do you think Vasilevskiy will win the Vezina?
| Yes! | 61 |
| No, it’ll be MAF | 29 |
| No, it’ll be Grubauer | 2 |
— Will Scouch (@Scouching) June 2, 2021
Lightning Links
A second 2-1 win for the Tampa Bay Lightning has now put them ahead 2-0 in their second round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Vasilevskiy, as always, was incredible, while Anthony Cirelli and Alex Killorn scored the goals. [Raw Charge]
“Strong goaltending and timely goal scoring are keys for playoff success, and the Tampa Bay Lightning have gotten just that in the first two games of this series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Tonight’s 2-1 win was more hair raising than Game 1, but the foundations were the same. Alex Killorn and Anthony Cirelli scored for the Lightning, while Andrei Svechnikov scored the only goal for Carolina. Alex Nedeljkovic made 13 saves on 15 shots, Andrei Vasilevskiy made 31 saves on 32 shots.”
Carolina had more expected goals than the Lightning but fewer actual goals pic.twitter.com/ffXOcr4BXw
— Evolving-Hockey (@EvolvingHockey) June 2, 2021
The Orlando Solar Bears hold their playoff spot after another above-average weekend. [Raw Charge]
“On Tuesday, goaltender Clint Windsor was named the Warrior Hockey/ECHL Goaltender of the Week for the fourth time this season. He went 2-1-0 with a 1.68 GAA and .953 save percentage in three starts last week. His fourth weekly award ties him with three other goaltenders for most honors since the ECHL began giving out the award in the 1997-1998 season.”
Here is the TBL vs. CAR recap from the Canes point of view that I found interesting. Worth the read. [Canes Country]
“It’s now a 2-0 series after Tampa Bay went into PNC Arena and won a pair of road games. Now, the series shifts back to the home building of the defending Stanley Cup champions and things are looking bleak for the 2021 Central Division winners.”
The Lightning win was the only game on the NHL schedule, so here’s Stephen A Smith roasting the Toronto Maple Leafs. I’m still raw from the loss. Trade Marner.
“Just failures. On an epic level. Every year.”
— Mike Martignago (@MikeMartignago) June 1, 2021
