Vasilevskiy’s Historic Performance: Lightning Explode in Dramatic Return from Injury

Andrei Vasilevskiy made a successful return to action on Friday, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to make history with a dominant 8-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes despite being outshot 24-14. This was a rare and historic performance, as the team became the first to score eight goals with fewer than 15 shots on goal since the NHL began tracking shots in 1955-56. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point were the driving forces behind this surge, especially on a potent 4-for-4 power play. Kucherov’s six-point outburst tied the Lightning’s single-game record, while Point’s hat trick and two assists earned him the second star of the night.

State of Lightning as Vasilevskiy returns

The Lightning managed a 9-6-5 record without Vasilevskiy. Upon his absence, Jonas Johansson stood in, playing 17 out of the team’s first 20 games. Despite Johansson’s efforts, the team’s goaltending wasn’t particularly strong. The defense also struggled early in the season. While Vasilevskiy’s return is promising, the team must handle his workload carefully to avoid burning him out.

On Friday, the Lightning protected Vasilevskiy well, even against a relentless Hurricanes team. It’s clear that if they protect Vasilevskiy and manage his fatigue, they might just make a strong playoff run.