Bolts by the Bay
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Lightning ECF: 5 Questions Heading Into Eastern Conference Final and Series Predictions

By Stephen Parrino

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Corey Perry #10 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at the Amalie Arena on December 31, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Corey Perry #10 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at the Amalie Arena on December 31, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 31: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers makes a save against Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the shootout period at the Amalie Arena on December 31, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 31: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers makes a save against Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the shootout period at the Amalie Arena on December 31, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

Is the Vasilevskiy advantage neutralized by Shesterkin?

In case you have not heard, the Eastern Conference Final will feature two of the best goaltenders in the NHL right now.

For the Lightning, Andrei Vasilevskiy is in his usual dominant playoff form that led the team to the past two Stanley Cups and won him last year’s Conn Smythe. Entering the series with a 2.22 GAA and 0.932 save percentage through 11 games, Vasy leads all remaining goaltenders in the playoffs.

Not far behind him though is the likely 2022 Vezina Trophy winner, Rangers’ netminder Igor Shesterkin. Entering the series with a 2.68 GAA and 0.928 save percentage, the question of if Vasy will be able to bail out the Bolts to win them games when the opposing goalie is equally capable of doing the same becomes a valid question.

Despite stellar play from both net-minders, the advantage should still lean toward the Lightning and Vasilevskiy as they have the proven history of performing in the postseason on their side, but the possibility of Shesterkin outdueling Vasilevskiy being the difference in the series cannot be discounted.

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