NHL Playoffs: Andrei Vasilevskiy robs Sidney Crosby of empty net goal (Video)

Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy committed grand larceny by robbing Sidney Crosby of what should have been an empty net goal in Game 2.

One of the biggest reasons for the success of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the regular season and postseason has been their goaltending. Ben Bishop is one of the three Vezina Trophy finalists and Andrei Vasilevskiy, though inexperienced, is an excellent and athletic goaltender.

With Bishop injured in Game 1, the Lightning turned to Vasilevskiy in Game 2. He has responded with a strong game after allowing two early goals. His best save robbed Sidney Crosby of what should have been a sure goal.

That’s the kind of save that elite goaltenders can give you. They cover up their team’s flaws. Even with two early goals allowed, that’s precisely what Vasilevskiy has been doing in Game 2. Very few goalies would get to that one and that save is huge because it kept the game tied at two goals each.

Vasilevskiy was a first round pick of the Lightning back in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He was considered the best Russian goaltending prospect in years. So far, he has lived up to that hype as Tampa Bay has given him the proper time necessary to develop.

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