NHL Scores: Andrei Vasilevskiy records third straight shutout, Penguins drop Flyers without Sidney Crosby, and more
Anthony Scultore
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Andrei Vasilevskiy has not given up a goal in 200:45 minutes of play. Last night he recorded his third straight shutout. A personal best for the 26 year-old net-minder.
When it comes to the leading candidate for Vezina this season, hands down it’s Vasilevskiy.
NHL Scores: Lightning shutout Stars, Canes keep winning
Ondrej Palat scored the only goal that the Lightning (15-4-1) would need as they beat the Stars (6-7-4) by a 2-0 score. Vasilevskiy has been on fire of late and stopped all 28 shots he faced in the contest. During these three straight shutouts he’s turned aside all 73 shots sent his way.
“Listen, if there’s any other goalie in the League other than [Vasilevskiy] in there tonight, we score some goals,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said. “He was great. That’s why he’s the best goalie in the League.”
NHL.com
Tampa needed the win because the Hurricanes (15-6-1) knocked off the Predators (10-12) by a 4-2 score. Sebastian Aho scored twice (7,8) in Carolina’s victory. Both teams top the Central Division with 31 points.
The last divisional game of the evening saw the Blue Jackets (9-10-5) defeat the Red Wings (7-15-3) 4-1 thanks to Joonas Korpisalo’s solid goaltending (19/20). It was their first win in six games and came off the heels of GM Jarmo Kekalainen giving John Tortorella a vote of confidence.
NHL Scores: Penguins win without Crosby, Sabres a mess
Kasperi Kapanen scored twice to lift a Crosby-less Penguins (12-8-1) squad 5-2 over the rival Flyers (11-5-3). Sidney Crosby played the game without their captain Sidney Crosby as he was added to the NHL’s COVID protocol list yesterday.
“It was a challenge,” Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan explained about the absence of Crosby. “I said to the players, all we can do is focus on the game and control what we can. We tried to keep our focus on hockey and the players that were in the lineup tonight.”
The Sabres (6-11-3) lost again, this time to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden 3-2. Pavel Buchnevich opened the scoring just 28 seconds in and the Rangers controlled the game from there. Jack Eichel and the Sabres were met with a spattering of “We-Want-Eichel” chants from the 1800 in attendance.
In other East Division action, the Islanders (12-6-4) edged the Devils (7-9-2) 2-1 on goals by Oliver Wahlstrom and Anders Lee. The win ties the Islanders with the Capitals for first.
NHL Scores: Canadiens give new coach first NHL win
Dominique Ducharme picked up his first NHL win as Carey Price’s 26 saves backstopped him to victory. The Canadiens (10-6-5) beat the Senators (8-16-1) by a 3-1 margin and it was a sigh of relief for all in Montreal.
“Definitely very happy for coach and [Alex Burrows],” Price said after the victory. “You know, they’ve both been working really hard and I’m sure that they’re pretty happy tonight and proud.”
The Jets (14-7-1) finished the NHL slate with a 5-2 victory over the Canucks (9-15-2). Kyle Connor scored his 11th of the season in that contest.