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Goalie Vasilevskiy has some new moves

 
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) in net against the Nashville Predators in the second period during preseason hockey at the Amalie Arena in Tampa (09/23/14).
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) in net against the Nashville Predators in the second period during preseason hockey at the Amalie Arena in Tampa (09/23/14).
Published Feb. 28, 2015

TAMPA — For rookie G Andrei Vasilevskiy, Wednesday's spot start for AHL Syracuse provided more than game experience during a long break in the Lightning schedule.

It also served as key practice. Coming off his worst NHL start — allowing five goals on 18 shots in Sunday's 5-4 loss in Colorado — Vasilevskiy, 20, said he watched a lot of video. And he got to experiment new techniques during Wednesday's 4-3 loss to Rochester.

"We lose, but I got good practice," Vasilevskiy said Friday. "I tried a couple new moves in the game, and I hope to be ready for the next game here."

When Vasilevskiy's next Lightning start would be remained to be seen. Ben Bishop started Friday against the Blackhawks, and the Lightning has just one more back-to-back situation this season.

Coach Jon Cooper said Vasilevskiy will likely play once or twice a week, depending on the schedule, how the team is playing, etc. Cooper said they don't want to have to "ride" Bishop down the stretch like last season, hoping to keep him "mentally and physically fresh if we get into the big dance."

The backup role is an adjustment for Vasilevskiy.

"It's a little bit tough," Vasilevskiy said. "I did the same experience in the KHL three years ago. I was backup for a half-season. I played probably five games and just kept working in practice."

Bishop, who dealt with a wrist injury the second half of last season and missed the playoffs due to a dislocated elbow, feels a lot better this season. He'd love to play every game but said it's better "big picture" if he rests some, adding it's nice to have Vasilevskiy playing well.

LINING UP: Bishop debuted his new glow-in-the-dark mask (more on that in Sunday's Tampa Bay Times). D Victor Hedman, who was considered a game-time decision after leaving Thursday's practice early, was in the lineup, saying he felt great. RW J.T. Brown was back in, with LW Brenden Morrow and D Luke Witkowski scratched.

SIT AND WAIT: Witkowski sat out a fourth straight game. Cooper said defensemen Nikita Nesterov, Andrej Sustr and Mark Barberio went through the same thing after "riding that high" early in their careers.

But Cooper said he has liked the vibe the other six defensemen have shown, that they give the team a better chance to win.

Witkowski, 24, said that though getting to play in his first 10 NHL game was a confidence boost, getting scratched serves as motivation.

"You sit back and it lights a fire underneath you," Witkowski said.

MEDICAL MATTERS: D Matt Carle continued to skate in a red no-contact jersey. Cooper said Carle is a couple of weeks from returning from mid-January abdominal surgery.

"I think it's still in a week-to-week basis," Carle said. "Every day is a little bit different seeing how I'm feeling, just putting myself in different positions and doing different drills to test it out. It's been a long process, and I didn't think it'd be this long, but I'm trying to stick with it and stay patient."