Vin A. Cherwoo, The Associated Press
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Andrei Vasilevskiy won a Vezina Trophy and two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Igor Shesterkin is a finalist for the Vezina this year as he leads the New York Rangers in their quest for their first championship since 1994.
Russian goaltenders will be front and center as the two-time defending champion Lightning and Rangers face off in the Eastern Finals starting Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
“I think it’s unanimous that they’re the two best goalies in the league,” said Rangers forward Barclay Goodrow, who played for the Lightning in their championships the past two years.
Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos knows the focus of the series will be on the men in goal.
“We know what we have,” Stamkos said. (Shesterkin) had a great year in New York. Excellent regular season, and he is on a very good streak. But I think for us, regardless of the goaltender, we have to go on the ice and play our best hockey. »
Vasilevskiy leads the NHL with 188 wins over the past five seasons, including a 39-18-5 record this season with an average of 2.49.
He’s 8-3 in the current postseason, allowing just four goals on 185 shots in five games.
“He’s the best goalie in the world right now,” Shesterkin said. I think it will be a good battle.”
Shesterkin went 36-13-4 with a league-best 2.07 GAA in his third NHL season.
After struggling in Games 3 and 4 against Pittsburgh, in the first round, he’s 7-3 and averaging 2.09 in the last 10 games.
“He’s a great goaltender,” Vasilevskiy said. It’s going to be a big challenge for us, but it’s not just one guy. Their team is fairly consistent and balanced. It’s not going to be easy.”
The two clubs played seven games in the first round – Tampa Bay beat Toronto, while Rangers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Pittsburgh.
The Lightning then swept Florida while the Rangers again needed seven games, against Carolina.
The Lightning haven’t played since May 23, a nine-day respite.
The Rangers have played every other day since the start of the playoffs, including the final game against the Hurricanes on Monday.
Gallant isn’t sure which he prefers, but he noted his team is thriving.
“I think our players like it,” he said. You prepare for one game at a time. I hope it will be a good thing for us.
“The Lightning have had a lot of rest. I lived that, and it is sure that it helps to have more energy at the beginning. At the same time, you can be a little rusty. We’ll see what happens.”
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