The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy from the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League.
Vasilevskiy,20, has appeared in three games for the Lightning this season posting a 2-1-0 record to go along with a 2.01 G.A.A. and a .940 save percentage.
Originally Tampa Bay’s first round selection (19th overall) at the 2012 NHL Draft, Vasilevskiy is 9-3-4 with a 2.34 G.A.A. and a .919 save percentage in 16 AHL games this season.
Vasilevskiy’s recall has nothing to do with an injury to a Lightning goaltender according to Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Bay Tribune.
According to the team, there is no injury reason for the Vasilevskiy recall, Cooper said he'd be back and now he is
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) December 30, 2014
One explanation for the recall could be the close proximity between Syracuse and Buffalo, where the Lightning play Wednesday night.
Possible reasons for Vasilevskiy's return? #TBLightning had an open roster spot and Buffalo is only 2.5 hrs. by car from Syracuse.
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) December 30, 2014
Update:
No injury to Bishop, according to Cooper, but calling up Vasilevskiy gives chance to rest Bishop, who theoretically may not dress tomorrow
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) December 30, 2014
Bishop missed four games earlier this month due to a lower body injury.