Andrei Vasilevskiy is still great but might need a break

Andrei Vasilevskiy shipped five goals in Tampa's Game 1 loss to the Leafs but it's way too early in the playoffs to write off the two-time champion goaltender. However, given the Lightning's back-to-back Stanley Cups, it's possible Vasilevskiy is in need of an extended rest.

Video Transcript

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Andrei Vasilevskiy isn't it the same dominant goaie we thought he was?

SAM CHANG: I think that's an overreaction after game one. Although, I did say in our group chat, are we sure Vasilevskiy's in net tonight? Because--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Yes.

SAM CHANG: He did not--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: We did ask that question. We did. Because I-- he looked like-- like, if the Monstars were looking for hockey players. He sucked-- they sucked the powers from Andrei Vasilevskiy. He looked like--

OMAR: Human.

JULIAN MCKENZIE: [INAUDIBLE], actually.

SAM CHANG: Yeah. Yeah. But I mean, like, I think in general-- in general, anything-- making any kind of bold statement after one game is an overreaction, and that's definitely an overreaction. You know, goalies are-- goalies are voodoo. He's entitled to have a bad game. Maybe he has one bad game and goes on-- goes on a run. Like, that's something Vasilevskiy could absolutely do. So, I think that's an overreaction.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: OK, definitely an overreaction, but I mean, because this guy's-- when do goaltenders hit their prime? 27, 28? That's what--

JULIAN MCKENZIE: Something like that.

JUSTIN CUTHBERT: Vasilevskiy, because is he's 27 turning 28. So, he should be in his prime. However, however, however, he might need four months to just rest the legs a bit. Maybe that's reality. Maybe he's not going to be as good as he was the last two runs because he's been through so many games and played so much hockey lately. So, perhaps, he's not Vasilevskiy of 2020 and 2021 in 2022.

OMAR: Yeah, I mean, like, how many, like, full-on split saves across the crease can you make before you just say, hey, I think I need a break? But you know, I agree. I think it is a little bit of an overreaction. I think we should expect Vasilevskiy to be better. And hopefully they'll be [INAUDIBLE] prepared for that.