It was a night of celebration at Amalie Arena. On Thursday night, Lightning star netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy became the fastest goalie in NHL history to reach 300 career wins. Tonight, the hometown fans celebrated the milestone with a pregame tribute. The tribute included kind words from Andrei’s brother and from many former Bolt favorites including Ben Bishop, Vlad Namestnikov, Alex Killorn, Mikhail Sergachev, and Steven Stamkos. The video tribute culminated with a special guest star as Steven Stamkos’ son, Carter, donned a number 88 facemask and congratulated his dad’s friend and former teammate.
The Bolts were hoping to maintain the positive play they demonstrated Thursday night. However, they were once again without Brayden Point. Point is still listed as “day to day” with a lower body injury.
Honored Vasilevskiy Keeps on Shining in Opening Period
The New Jersey Devils seemed determined to get to the honored Vasilevskiy early in this one. The Devils came into this game on a hot streak having beaten the division leading Florida Panthers two games in a row in Sunrise, Florida. They were hoping for a Florida sweep. They had a flurry of activity in front of Vasilevskiy in the first minute or so. But Vasilevskiy stood tall and his teammates quickly found their game and evened up the ice.
And it would be the Bolts who opened the scoring as Jake Guentzel found Nick Paul with a beautiful pass and Paul wristed it past Jacob Markstrom with five and a half minutes remaining in the first. Emil Lilleberg tallied the secondary assist.
These two making things happen 👏 pic.twitter.com/D7JGZNEUbb
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 17, 2024
Devils Push Hard Against Honored Vasilevskiy
The Lightning outplayed the Devils for most of the first period. But New Jersey stepped up its game in the second. The Devils pressured Vasilevskiy and company to the tune of 14 shots on net in the middle frame. Vasilevskiy stopped them all.
The Lightning were not the only team whose netminder was coming up big tonight. Jacob Markstrom made some huge saves when called upon in the second period to keep his team within a shot of tying the game.
Which team would be the next to break through on one of tonight’s red hot goalies?
Bolts Defense Steps Up in Third
It did not take long into the third period to get the answer. Darren Raddysh has been in and out of the lineup this season, but he made his presence felt just 39 seconds into the final frame. Raddysh rifled his first goal of the season past Markstrom to give the Lightning lead a bit of a cushion.
🗣️”Center point shot, SCORRREEE!!! DARREN RADDYSH!”
Raddysh rips one off the faceoff for his first goal of the season!#TBLvsNJD
🎧: https://t.co/S6Y9TymMk9
📻: @1025TheBone pic.twitter.com/8cKmCGZ2Jm— Lightning Audio Network (@BoltsRadio) November 17, 2024
Shortly after, the Bolts took their third penalty of the night and their tenth of this three-game homestand. As they had done in the nine previous ones, the Lightning killed it off masterfully.
Less than two minutes later, the Bolts got their third power play of the game. And another defenseman made his presence known. Victor Hedman blasted his fourth of the season to increase the lead to 3-0.
Ya love to see it 🤩 pic.twitter.com/0tVO5asGbc
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 17, 2024
The Bolts would kill off one more penalty for good measure to close out this homestand 11 for 11 on the penalty kill.
In the dying seconds of the game, the Lightning got another power play. With 11.4 seconds remaining in the game and the Devils’ net empty, Luke Hughes threw his stick in front of a streaking Anthony Cirelli. Cirelli was awarded the goal to give the Bolts a 4-0 final.
Happy Early Thanksgiving from Honored Vasilevskiy
With Thanksgiving under two weeks away, Vasilevskiy was quick to express his thanks to the fans and his teammates. His emotions started to get the better of him briefly after the game as he thanked fans for the tribute and his teammates for the gifts they gave him before the game but, especially, for the gift of the great game they played in front of him tonight (including 19 blocked shots).
Three Stars
1- Andrei Vasilevskiy- the honored goalie stopped all 29 shots he faced to win his 301st career game.
2- Jake Guentzel- two assists, leading the league in points by a team newcomer this season.
3- Lightning Penalty Kill- Finishing this homestand a perfect 11 for 11.
Up Next
The Bolts will hit the road for a couple of games this week. Their first stop will be in Pittsburgh to face off against the Penguins Tuesday night at 7pm.
