Plus: Gas up the boats. It's parade time.
| Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters |  | | [DIRK SHADD | Times] | | Redemption for Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy | We appreciate unfiltered honesty. And after the Lightning made their celebratory laps with the Stanley Cup on the Amalie Arena ice Wednesday night, we were the beneficiaries of frank comments from forward Nikita Kucherov during his news conference.
Sure, Kucherov was definitely more free flowing than normal as he emerged from the Lightning locker room after some champagne and beer. But his news conference was one for the ages — even though it certainly struck a nerve with Montreal.
Kucherov's first and most valid point was his best: It's about time Andrei Vasilevskiy finally got his due.
It's funny because had Vasilevskiy not won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the postseason's top player, Kucherov would have. Vasilevskiy earned 15 of the 18 first-place votes for the Conn Smythe.
Vasilevskiy was snubbed of the Vezina Trophy by the voting committee of NHL general managers. They made the prize a career achievement award by giving it to "the guy in Vegas," Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Kucherov said Vasilevskiy should have landed the Vezina, given to the league's top goaltender, last season as well.
"Vasy took both Cups," a shirtless, backward-cap-wearing Kucherov said. "He took MVP (in the playoffs), and I always keep telling him, he's the MVP. ... He's the best."
Inside the Lightning locker room, players have talked about how Vasilevskiy has been this team's MVP all year. Experts call him the best goalie in the world. It took shining on the biggest stage in hockey for everyone else to realize that.
But at least the truth is out. | | | | Gain unlimited access to Lightning, Buccaneers and Rays coverage for about $1 a week! | | | | | | | |  | | [DIRK SHADD | Times (2020)] | | Who's ready for another party in Champa Bay? | Monday can't come soon enough. That's when Tampa will hold its third championship boat parade over a 10-month span, as well as a celebration rally at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park downtown on the west banks of the Hillsborough River.
Though there's a legitimate concern, I don't think we'll have to worry about the Stanley Cup falling into the bay or the river.
The Cup weighs much more than the Lombardi Trophy, which Tom Brady tossed across the water from his boat to a boat full of Bucs wide receivers and tight ends. And the Lightning took good care of the Cup, even on Alex Killorn's jet ski, during their first victory voyage.
It certainly is an exciting time here in Tampa Bay, and the party won't be contained to Monday. Since Game 5, fans have flocked to the Lightning team store to get their title gear. Busch Gardens is doling out free beer this month to celebrate.
And while we're on the subject of celebratory beer, get this: Coors Light is making a special Champions Ice line made with filtered ice shavings taken from Amalie Arena after Game 1 of the final. It will be available during Monday's festivities. What do you think it tastes like? | | | | | |
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