Pro Sports

Vasilevskiy's 6th shutout helps Lightning beat Maple Leafs

Posted January 02, 2018 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save on Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matt Martin (15) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) - Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 30 shots for his NHL-best sixth shutout of the season to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 2-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.

Vasilevskiy got his league-leading 26th win, and Cedrick Paquette and Alex Killorn scored for Tampa Bay, which won for the 12th time in 14 games.

Frederik Andersen had 34 saves for Toronto, which lost its third straight and is 3-6-1 in its last 10 games.

Tampa Bay controlled much of the pace during the first period, outshooting Toronto 25-12. The Lightning opened the scoring when Chris Kunitz stripped the puck from Andersen while the goalie was handling it behind the net. Kunitz centered a pass to Paquette in the slot and he converted at 12:00 for his first goal since last Jan. 21.

The Lightning added to their lead when Killorn's shot from the circle went through Andersen's legs. Initially, game officials let play resume as they ruled no goal at the time but after 22 seconds the league office called in to interrupt play and award Tampa the goal at with 3:06 remaining.

NOTES: Leafs C Nazem Kadri returned to the lineup after missing two games with an upper-body injury. ... Toronto C Frederik Gauthier made his regular-season debut.

UP NEXT

Lightning: At Montreal on Thursday night in the middle game of a five-game trip.

Maple Leafs: Host San Jose on Thursday night in the second of a stretch of six straight at home.

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save on Toronto Maple Leafs center Mitchell Marner (16) as Lightning's Victor Hedman (77) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save on Toronto Maple Leafs center Mitchell Marner (16) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) and Toronto Maple Leafs center Leo Komarov (47) look for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen makes a save against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

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