Andrei Vasilevskiy’s ‘locked in’ reaction to Lightning shutting out Canadiens, forcing Game 7

The Tampa Bay Lightning lived to see another day after beating the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in overtime in Game 6 of their first-round series at the Bell Centre — and Andrei Vasilevskiy was the main reason why.

The former NHL playoff MVP was picture perfect in the contest, making 30 saves on 30 shots, including a few game-savers in the extra frame.

“I’m trying to be locked in every game, so tonight was obviously very important,” the Russian told reporters afterwards, per NHL.com’s Sean Farrell. “Our ‘D’ did such a great job blocking shots and killing off the penalties. It was definitely huge.”

It was Vasilevskiy’s eighth career Stanley Cup Playoffs shutout, and his heroics are why there will be a Game 7 at Benchmark International Arena on Sunday evening.

He also made history in the tilt, becoming the first active goaltender to record two career shutouts when facing elimination, along with Game 7 of the second-round against the New York Islanders in 2021.

“For the fans it was probably a roller-coaster, but for me, it was pretty even,” he continued. “I’m pretty experienced, so I don’t want to show my emotions.”

Gage Goncalves ended up scoring the winner at 9:03 of overtime, silencing the always-energized crowd at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal. But it was Vasilevskiy who kept his team in the game time after time.

“I think we found out we’ve got the best goalie in the world,” playoff leading goal scorer Brandon Hagel said. “I think we already knew that, but he was incredible.”

“He’s the best goaltender in the world for a reason,” echoed Jake Guentzel. “He gives us a chance every night and some of the saves he made were just incredible and obviously that was a big-time performance by him.”

The series now shifts back in the Lightning’s favor, as they’ll have an opportunity to knock out the Canadiens in front of the home crowd at Benchmark International Arena.

It’s been a terrific matchup — one of the closest in playoff history, with every game being decided by one goal — and it’s fully fitting that it will take a Game 7 to decide who will be marching on to play the Buffalo Sabres in Round 2.

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