TAMPA | Defeating Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Lightning in the playoffs twice in a row is a rare phenomenon. A feat that the Maple Leafs managed this weekend.

Obviously, no one in the Toronto camp will dare claim to have found the crack in the Russian goalkeeper’s wall. Why risk waking the big cat?

Nobody wants to repeat the mistake of Daniel Bouchard, whose words brought Patrick Roy and the Canadiens back to life thirty years ago.

However, Martin Biron is convinced that someone at the Leafs understood what needed to be done to make Vasilevskiy less effective.

The former Sabers, Flyers and Rangers goaltender-turned TSN analyst noted that Vasilevskiy now had more trouble with long shots. The pucks he used to stop even with traffic ahead often find the back of the net.

“The Maple Leafs are doing an incredible job of making it look less than fantastic,” the Quebec native said when contacted by the Journal.

Biron, who has played 508 games at the Bettman circuit, admits that no goalie likes traffic around him. However, he says the Toronto forwards have gone one step further.

“They are placed right on the edge of his semicircle. It means Vasilevskiy has no choice but to retreat into his net, he explained. Vasilevskiy likes to challenge throws from the point by placing his skates on the line of his semicircle. But here he can’t. So he withdraws. »

A bit like Morgan Rielly’s winner in extra time on Saturday night.

“That’s when pucks go through or around you. It doesn’t take much leeway. It’s a thumb thing,” he continued.

A drop in energy

Biron also wonders if the 2021 Conn Smythe Trophy winner isn’t feeling a bit tired. Although he is only 28 years old, he has a mileage in the body.

“This guy has played so many games in the last four years. He played 74 playoff games. Semyon Varlamov is the one who follows him at 34. So he could feel a drop in energy. »

However, Biron wouldn’t be surprised if the Lightning goalie rebounded. He remembers fighting the wall with his team last spring, against those Maple Leafs.

“He’s still making incredible saves. We still see how he frustrates the opponent on trips where we are sure the player will score, he pointed out. His vulnerability is at long range shots. »

How to remedy?

“It’s normal to back down when you feel the pressure. That happens to all goalkeepers. But he must try to hold his position and remain patient at the top of his semi-circle. »

” The worlds best “

At Lightning Camp we hope that Vasilevskiy will find his way around.

“He is our guardian!” He’s the man for the job! He is the best goalkeeper in the world, said Jon Cooper the day after losing the third game in overtime. If I know one thing about him, it’s that he’ll get better as the playoffs progress. »

His fighting spirit and the fact that he never leaves the net, even when he misses seven goals like in the second game, encourages his team-mates to show him the utmost respect.

“He’s someone who doesn’t want to leave his group. What it tells me is that I don’t mind sticking my head in front of a shot just for him,” started Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, scoring on Saturday afternoon.

It’s noble of him, but let’s hope it doesn’t have to come to that.