Breaking in Benjamin
Ben Bishop would burst onto the scene like no Tampa Bay goaltender before him. His 2.23 goals-against was the best any Bolts goalie had ever posted in 20+ starts. That accomplishment came during his first season as a starter in 2013-14. The following season, the Lightning would make their second ever cup final appearance. Unfortunately, Bishop would go down with an injury in the series against the Blackhawks, and the Bolts would fall in six games. Nonetheless, we once again see a direct correlation between a new life between the pipes, and success on the ice, as the Bolts made their second cup showing with arguably the second best goaltender they’d ever dressed. If only Bishop knew, possibly their best was just arriving.
Vasy, Vasy, Vasy
In his fifth season as a Bolt, Bishop was traded. Tampa Bay realized they had a special talent coming down the pipeline in Russian goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Vasilevskiy’s numbers mirrored Bishop’s, and his on-ice acrobatics topped him. He was crucial in a run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2017-18 while finishing as a Vezina Trophy finalist before winning the award the following season. That begs one question about the greatest (regular) season in Lightning history.
What if?
When the Bolts were swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2018-19 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it was a team effort. Nobody showed up, and that included Vasilevskiy.
As the above ramblings would testify, competent goaltending for the Bolts directly correlates to success, specifically in the playoffs. Roloson’s game seven. Khabibulin’s theatrics in the Final. If Vasilevskiy can steal just one or two games, what could have been? Could Tampa Bay have gotten out of the first round? The second? Could they have won it all?
One thing is certain. Vasilevskiy is here to stay, and so should be success on the ice in Tampa Bay. Is goaltending everything? No. Can it win or lose you a game? A series? For sure. Has Tampa Bay’s success been defined by its prowess in the four-by-six? Absolutely, and Vasilevskiy’s continuously solid performance is a fantastic sign for this Lightning team.
