CHICAGO -- No, Brian Boyle cannot imagine what Wednesday was like for 20-year-old rookie goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who was thrust into action to start Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals for the Tampa Bay Lightning with starter Ben Bishop out due to injury.
Boyle was in his second season at Boston College at that age, and a moment like this was still far off in the distant future.
"I was in college at 20, worried about -- other things," Boyle said. "Leave it at that."
But Boyle and the rest of Vasilevskiy’s teammates were not surprised to see the Russian netminder, who made 17 of 19 saves in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, handle the impromptu assignment with grace and poise. He was, as Boyle said, "cool, calm and collected." Just as the Bolts have seen from the former first-round pick all season long.
"I think it just validated what we all thought about him all along," Boyle said. "His poise, his ability, he's prepared himself remarkably well throughout the year for whenever he got a start. He has worked extremely hard throughout long stretches when he hasn't played. So it doesn't surprise me. When you're that prepared you shouldn't be nervous, and he went out and he did his job. He was excellent."
The 6-foot-3 Vasilevskiy was first to emerge from the tunnel as the Lightning took the ice Wednesday night, and despite days of speculation about Bishop's status, it was still a surprise.
Bishop gutted through Monday night’s victory, and though his performance wasn’t always pretty -- he appeared to be laboring and in distress at times -- he got the win and was heralded for his sacrifice.
Meanwhile, Vasilevskiy stayed on the ice with goaltending coach Frantz Jean Wednesday morning, putting in extra work. There was no indication he’d get his first NHL playoff start just a few hours later.
He found out shortly after and was eager for the opportunity.
"I was just excited and that’s it," Vasilevskiy said. "Just feel myself very good. I was ready."
That sort of confidence is what the team has come to expect from the youngster, who is highly regarded by the organization and is expected to challenge Bishop for the starting gig within the next few seasons.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper didn’t deliver any special message, Vasilevskiy said. Just a simple, "You’re in," from the coach. Vasilevskiy got a few pointers from Bishop -- which Blackhawks players shoot high, which ones typically go low -- but that was it.
And then Vasilevskiy became the sixth-youngest goaltender in NHL history to make his first career playoff start in the Stanley Cup finals.
"I was just really excited. Really happy. It’s my dream to play in the Stanley Cup finals," Vasilevskiy said. "I think I look not bad in my first game in two months. I can play better, for sure, but for the first time, not bad."
He was forced to do very little early on as the Lightning limited the Hawks to a mere two shots in the first period. But he didn’t look scrambly or overwhelmed when he was tested. He didn’t melt down when Jonathan Toews opened up scoring or when Brandon Saad gave Chicago a 2-1 lead in the third. Vasilevskiy anticipated Saad going top shelf, but instead he went 5-hole. Still, Vasilevskiy's performance provided the Lightning with a very winnable game.
"It just seemed to be one of those nights where it just wasn’t going in for us," said Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who was denied an opportunity to tie the game while parked in front of the net in the final minute.
Vasilevskiy, who played two years in the Kontinental Hockey League and spent 25 games in the American Hockey League this season, is no stranger to pressure. He’s played in both the World Juniors and the World Championships while representing his native Russia.
He doesn’t wilt from the spotlight, and that provides the Lightning with some comfort with their starter on the mend.
"You put the kid on the stage and he’s going to perform," Cooper said.
Cooper said he’s confident with either goaltender, though it is unclear who will play Game 5 when the series shifts back to Tampa tied at two games apiece. Bishop will have three days to rest and recover from whatever is ailing him, so it’s not inconceivable he might return Saturday night.
"Bish’s going to play again this series," Cooper promised. "I’m just not sure which game."
After Game 2 -- when Bishop exited the game twice, creating a goaltending carousel of sorts -- Stamkos said it was hard to keep track of who was in net. He didn't find out about Wednesday's starter until the team bus ride to the rink, but the news didn’t seem to rattle anybody.
"Whoever is in the net, like we reiterated the past couple days, we have full confidence. And Vasy played great," Stamkos said. "I mean, to be thrown into the fire like that in a game of this magnitude, he made the big saves, he gave us a chance. You allow two goals on the road, you give yourself and your team a chance to win the game. He did that. We have full confidence in him and he played great."