Andrei Vasilevskiy Enters NHL History Books with Milestone Win
Andrei Vasilevskiy secured a monumental personal achievement on Sunday afternoon. The Tampa Bay Lightning star goaltender joined an exclusive group of hockey legends. He became just the sixth netminder in National Hockey League history to record ten consecutive seasons with at least twenty wins.
A Milestone Performance Against Dallas
Vasilevskiy reached this historic mark during a commanding 4-1 road victory over the Dallas Stars. The game took place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Russian goalie turned away nineteen shots to earn his twentieth win of the current 2025-26 campaign.
This victory was crucial for the Lightning's impressive run. It extended their point streak to thirteen consecutive games. The team's overall record now stands at a formidable thirty wins, thirteen losses, and four overtime losses.
Joining the Goaltending Pantheon
The company Vasilevskiy now keeps is truly elite. He stands alongside only five other netminders who have accomplished this feat:
- Henrik Lundqvist
- Martin Brodeur
- Tony Esposito
- Chris Osgood
- Jacques Plante
This list consists entirely of Hockey Hall of Famers or future inductees. Vasilevskiy's inclusion speaks volumes about his sustained excellence and consistency at the highest level.
The Foundation of Tampa Bay's Success
Since taking over as Tampa Bay's starting goaltender before the 2016-17 season, Vasilevskiy has been a model of reliability. He has posted at least twenty victories in every single season since that time. His steady presence in the crease has been the bedrock of the Lightning's success for nearly a decade.
Head coach Jon Cooper praised his team's effort after the game. He highlighted the challenging schedule they have faced. "This is game five of a five-game trip. Basically, we played nine games in nine different cities," Cooper said. "For the guys to take all but an overtime loss in one, I've got to tip my cap to them. It's been a pretty good effort by them."
Team Effort Secures the Win
The victory did not start easily for Tampa Bay. The Dallas Stars, one of the top teams in the Western Conference, grabbed an early 1-0 lead. However, the Lightning rallied with goals from players like Brandon Hagel to secure the important two points.
Forward Darren Raddysh appreciated his team's resilient response. "I liked our response," Raddysh stated. "We went down one, but we stuck to our game plan and wanted to make them defend. I thought we did pretty well in the first period there and continued in the second and third."
A Legacy of Excellence
Andrei Vasilevskiy's career resume is already packed with accolades. Since joining the Lightning franchise in 2012, he has cemented his status as one of the league's premier goaltenders. His trophy case includes:
- Two Stanley Cup championships (2020, 2021)
- One Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP
- One Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender
Now at 31 years old, Vasilevskiy shows no signs of slowing down. He remains as formidable and lethal between the pipes as he was during the Lightning's championship runs. This latest milestone of ten straight twenty-win seasons further solidifies his legacy among the all-time greats of the game.
The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to be one of the NHL's hottest teams. Their thirteen-game point streak is a testament to their current form. With Vasilevskiy providing his trademark steady goaltending, they remain a formidable force as the season progresses.
