Stars were dropping like flies, goaltenders are getting younger and younger, and a suspension may already be coming to the Lightning-Penguins series.
Here are three things we learned in the NHL Friday.
Fallen stars
The skies were dark Friday as all the stars were in a pile on the ice or needing assistance leaving it.
Kris Letang was hit hard from behind, Ben Bishop left the game on a stretcher and Tyler Johnson limped off after a knee-on-knee on collision. Letang and Johnson returned to play in the game.
Bishop’s departure was the most ominous given the hole he left in his absence. Andrei Vasilevskiy replaced Bishop, making for a unique goaltending matchup.
NHL Public Relations on Twitter
Matt Murray and Vasilevskiy were both drafted in 2012, Vasilevskiy in Round 1 and Murray in Round 3. They both started in the AHL to begin the 2015-16 season.
And not only did the crease need to be filled, but so too did the bench. Kristers Gudlevskis joined the Lightning on the pine after Bishop left the game. Is that kosher, though?
NHL Public Relations on Twitter
The misfortune only seemed to embolden the Lightning as they held on for a 3-1 win.
May Dave! May Dave! on Twitter
You’re a loose cannon, Callahan!
Ryan Callahan could be facing a suspension after the dangerous hit he levelled on the aforementioned Letang.
The Lightning forward ran the Penguins defenceman into the end boards, arguably setting off the action that led to Chris Kunitz going after Johnson with a knee-on-knee hit that hurt the Lightning star.
Don Cherry discussed that sequence on Friday’s Coach’s Corner, saying that Letang needed to skate into the corner more carefully and that Kunitz’s hit was “absolutely” a case of retribution.
Tampa Bay was assessed a five minute major for the Callahan hit but was able to kill it off. That hit sure did seem punishable, though.
The Big Vasilevskiy
This is already becoming a series of unusual suspects.
With Bishop down and potentially out longer than one game, Andrei Vasilevskiy came in cold to stone the Penguins in Game 1.
He looked to be fighting the puck off early on but settled in comfortably, making 25 saves en route to helping the Lightning take a 1-0 series lead.
While losing a Vezina finalist to injury could be frightening to a Tampa team that is facing a red-hot Penguins club, it might also be a huge boost if Vasilevskiy can stand his ground.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (@TBLightning) earned his 2nd career playoff win, both in relief efforts (also Game 2 of 2015 #StanleyCup Final vs. CHI).
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 14, 2016
This has already become a postseason of unlikely goaltending performances.
Whether it’s Matt Murray Ken Dryden-ing his way to the conference final, Martin Jones proving his worth with the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis, Anaheim and Dallas having the advantage/disadvantage of two netminders or underwhelming performances from studs like Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick, the goaltending circus is a major theme of these playoffs.
Vasilevskiy asked if he's ready to take over for Bish if need be going forward. "That's why I'm here," he said with a smile
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) May 14, 2016
Credit is also due to the Lightning forward group who got scoring from their best and brightest as Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn and Jonathan Drouin tallied in the win.
