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Andrei Vasilevskiy sets Lightning single-season wins record

Vasilevskiy's 41st win tops mentor Ben Bishop's 40 in 2014-15 season.
 
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) is bothered by Buffalo Sabres center Sam Reinhart (23) Wednesday night moments before allowing the winning goal in overtime. DIRK SHADD | Times
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) is bothered by Buffalo Sabres center Sam Reinhart (23) Wednesday night moments before allowing the winning goal in overtime. DIRK SHADD | Times
Published March 21, 2018|Updated March 21, 2018

Andrei Vasilevskiy always considered former Lightning goalie Ben Bishop a mentor.

A teacher. A big brother.

And now Vasilevskiy, 23, has some bragging rights over his buddy Bishop after breaking his Lightning single-season wins record (41) in a 4-3 victory over the Leafs.

Bishop had 40 in the 2014-15 season, the last time Tampa Bay reached the Stanley Cup Final.

"It's the guys playing well all season long," Vasilevskiy said. "It's all about our guys — their effort, their attitude, and that's huge in goal support every game."

Did it mean any more to break Bishop's record?

"He's one of the best goalies in the NHL, and it's pretty nice to break his record," Vasilevskiy said. "But it's not my goal for the season. All the records, to be honest, are bull-(crap). Our goal is to win the Stanley Cup. So we'll see in the playoffs."

Vasilevskiy gives the Lightning a good chance at hoisting the Stanley Cup, the first-time All-Star putting together a Vezina Trophy-caliber season.

"He's got a lot of seasons ahead, and he's proven this year he's one of the best in the league," defenseman Victor Hedman said. "To have a goalie like that, that backs you up, makes those key saves, is huge for us. He's undoubtedly one of our top guys the whole year. Without him, we wouldn't be standing in this situation. We're proud of the kid to get the record."