Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy takes home Conn Smythe Trophy

© Dirk Shadd/Times Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy makes a save with Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) in front of the net during the second period of Game 5.

TAMPA — Winning the Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup are pretty good consolation prizes for missing out on the Vezina Trophy.

Andrei Vasilevskiy claimed the postseason MVP award Wednesday night after the Lightning’s 1-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens. He’s the first goaltender born outside of North America and the third Russian to win the honor.

© Dirk Shadd/Times Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy holds the Stanley Cup while celebrating the Lightning’s 1-0 victory.

Vasilevskiy had a stellar postseason coming off an incredible regular-season run. His 16 wins in the playoffs led the league as well as his shutouts (five). He’s the third goalie in NHL history to post multiple shutouts in Stanley-Cup clinching games (also Game 6 of the 2020 Stanley Cup final against Dallas).

© Dirk Shadd/Times Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy throws his hands up as the Lightning celebrate their 1-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup final.

His goals-against percentage (1.9) was the second-highest among postseason goaltenders.

Vasilevskiy’s streak of wins following a loss is also still intact. The Lightning have not lost back-to-back games at any point over their last two playoff runs.

With the Conn Smythe honor, Vasilevskiy becomes the 16th NHL goalie to win the award and the first goaltender to do so in Lightning history. The last NHL goalie to win the Conn Smythe was the Kings’ Jonathan Quick in 2012.

The MVP honor is voted on by reporters in the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

How we voted

Eduardo A. Encina:

1. Andrei Vasilevskiy

2. Nikita Kucherov

3. Ryan McDonagh

Mari Faiello

1. Andrei Vasilevskiy

2. Nikita Kucherov

3. Brayden Point

Contact Mari Faiello at mfaiello@tampabay.com. Follow @faiello_mari.

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