The NHL-leading Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 Saturday. While the Lightning retired Vincent Lecavalier’s No. 4 pregame, it was Andrei Vasilevskiy who made all the headlines afterwards.
The Bolts goaltender robbed Anže Kopitar in one of the greatest saves you’ll ever see.
Video
#GottaSeeIt: Andrei Vasilevskiy makes a ridiculous behind-the-back glove save. pic.twitter.com/O5pcjeI0pI
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 11, 2018
The save happened 8:35 into the first period. As Kopitar shot the puck towards the net from the wing, he was blocked. Kopitar gathered in his own rebound and fired again, this time from a sharp angle. Vasilevskiy, caught flat-footed, reached his left arm behind his body and OH MY GOD HE CAUGHT THE PUCK.
“To be honest, I didn’t see anything,” Vasilevskiy said according to the Lightning’s Twitter account. “I just saw the blade of Kopitar’s stick. I realized I didn’t have enough time to be square to the puck so I made the decision to turn the other way and I got lucky.”
All in all Vasilevskiy made 44 saves on the evening, but all anyone could talk about afterwards was his behind-the-back glove save.
“That’s up there for sure,” Stamkos said to NHL.com. “Definitely one of the best saves I’ve ever seen live.”
Kopitar told the media Vasilevskiy should buy a lottery ticket.
Kings Anze Kopitar on what he told #tblightning Andrei Vasilevskiy postgame: "In my opinion he got a little bit lucky on a few plays so I told him to go buy a lottery ticket."
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) February 11, 2018
Head coach Jon Cooper was stunned.
Cooper on Vasilevskiy’s save: “I just coached in the #NHLAllStar Game and saw the best of the best, and that save topped it… It put you in awe, that one.” #LAKvsTBL
— #VL4 (@TBLightning) February 11, 2018
Anton Stralman spoke in hyperbole.
Stralman on Vasilevskiy: “He’s the best. There’s no doubt in my mind.” #LAKvsTBL
— #VL4 (@TBLightning) February 11, 2018
Meanwhile, the guy who was supposed to be the man of the hour, Vincent Lecavalier, received one of the biggest honors of his life before puck drop.
Lecavalier finished his career with the most goals (383) and games played (1,037) in franchise history. He joined Martin St. Louis as the only Lightning players to have their jerseys retired.
Bring ‘em out, bring ‘em out.#LAKvsTBL | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/BG4So0ejWq
— #VL4 (@TBLightning) February 11, 2018
Félicitations, Vinny!
Merci pour tout. ⚡️ #VL4 pic.twitter.com/jaCB1lcqnS
— #VL4 (@TBLightning) February 11, 2018
On the ice, off the ice, in the rink, in the community… You're a legend in so many ways, Vinny.
Thank you for all you do, and welcome home. ⚡️💙 #VL4 pic.twitter.com/PDiahiPeRo
— #VL4 (@TBLightning) February 11, 2018
The man of the hour.
Welcome home, Vinny!⚡️ #VL4 pic.twitter.com/OMklOOxjMu
— #VL4 (@TBLightning) February 10, 2018
A brief rundown of the accolades Vincent Lecavalier accrued during his stellar career with the @TBLightning. #VL4 #GoBolts #NHL pic.twitter.com/FDC4vDkw3U
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) February 10, 2018
Vinny on the start of his career: “I was just a teenager with a long French name no one could pronounce.”
Now, your name is etched into our history as a #Bolts legend no one will ever forget. ⚡️ #VL4
— #VL4 (@TBLightning) February 10, 2018
Vincent Lecavalier joins Paul Kennedy and Dave Andreychuk to discuss his thoughts and feelings about having his jersey retired by the @TBLightning prior to the game. #VL4 #GoBolts #NHL pic.twitter.com/wAMCtQFs7Z
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) February 11, 2018
