Lightning's Vasilevskiy shuts down Penguins to take 1-0 series lead
PITTSBURGH - The Tampa Bay Lightning's 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Friday night may have come at a heavy price.
Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop left the ice on a stretcher in the first period after injuring his left leg. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 stops while filling in and the Lighting took advantage of some sloppy miscues by Pittsburgh's defense to take away home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (@TBLightning) earned his 2nd career playoff win, both in relief efforts (also Game 2 of 2015 #StanleyCup Final vs. CHI).
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 14, 2016
"Vasy came in and made some huge saves," said forward Brian Boyle, according to Bryan Burns of TampaBayLightning.com. We tried to defend as well as we could. Having the lead helped."
The game was scoreless when Vasilevskiy entered almost 13 minutes into the first, but his teammates rallied, taking a three-goal lead late in the second period.
"He was tremendous," said defenseman Victor Hedman, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "Can't put into words."
Game 2 is Monday night in Pittsburgh.
Alex Killorn, Ondrej Palat and Jonathan Drouin scored for Tampa Bay, and the Lightning kept Pittsburgh's dynamic offense under wraps for long stretches.
Patric Hornqvist picked up his sixth goal of the playoffs for the Penguins. Rookie goaltender Matt Murray finished with 17 saves, but was put in a tough spot several times because of defensive miscues in front of him.